
AUSTIN S. CUSHMAN, 

DeF-ARTIvIKNT CO^virs.4AlSIDER., 

1867. 



EARLY HISTORY 



Department of Massachusetts 

« 

G. A. R. 



From 1866 to 1880 Inclusive. 



Compiled by 

Direction of the Department Encampment 

OF 1892. 



BOSTON, MASS.: 

E. B. Stillings & Co., 55 Sudijury Street. 

1895. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGES 

ixtroductiox 3, 4 

Provisional Department and Organization of the Per- 
manent Department 5, fi 

Encampment of 1867, at New Bedford 7-15 

General Orders of Department Commander Cushman . 16-24 

Encampment of 1868, at Boston 25. 26 

Encampment of 1869. at Worcester 27, 28 

General Orders of Department Com^iander Sprague . 29-34 

Encampment of 1870. at New Bedford 35-49 

General Orders of Department Commander Osborn . . 50-64 

Encampment of 1871, at Lowell 65, 66 

General Orders of Department Commander Bates . . 67-77 

Encampment of 1872, at Sprin(;field 79-03 

General Orders of Department Commander Cogswell . 94-104 

Encampment of 1873, at Boston (Roxbuhy) 105-124 

General Orders of Department Commander Siislev . . 125-133 

Encampment of 1874, at Fitchbl'rg 135-166 

General Orders of Department Commander Underwood, 167-176 

Encampment of 1875, at Salem 177-201 

General Orders of Department Commander Kimball . . 202-207 

Encampment of 1876. at Lawrence 209-236 

General Orders of Department Commander Merrill . 237-243 

Encampment of 1877, at Boston 245-268 

General Orders of Department Commander Sargent 

(First Series) 269-283 

Encampment of 1878, at Boston 285-308 

General Orders of Department Commander Sargent 

(Second Series) 309-325 

Encampment of 1879, at Boston 327-350 

General Orders of Department Cojfmander Sargent 

(Third Series) 351-364 

Encampment of 1880, at Lynn 365-390 

General Orders of Department Commander Adams . . 391-399 

Encampment of 1881, at Boston 401-432 

General Orders of Department Commander Hawes . . 433-441 



APPENDIX. 

Early Memorial Services by Post 1, at New Bedford 443 
Roster of Posts from the Organization of the Depart- 
ment TO Jax. 1, 1895 449 

Portraits of Department Commanders : 

A. S. Cushman, facing Title 

, A. B. R. Sprague, " 27 

Francis A. Osborn, " 35 

, James L. Bates, '• 65 

/ William Cogswell, " 79 

/Henry R. Sibley, " 105 

/ Adin B. Underwood, " 135 

/ John W. Kimball, " 177 

Geo. S. Merrill, " 209 

Horace Binney Sargent, " 245 

John G. B. Adams, " 365 

John A. Hawes, " 401 

P. 

to N'03 



NTRODUCTION. 



At the Department Encampment of 1892, held in Boston, 
the following resolution, offered by Past Department Commander 
George "W. Creasey, was adopted : — 

That a committee of five be appointed to compile the earlier history 
of the Grand Army of this Department, and that said committee be 
requested to report at the next Department Encampment. 

The committee was appointed by Department Commander 
Arthur A. Smith, as follows: Past Department Commanders 
George W. Creasey, Austin S. Cushman and John D. Billings, 
and Comrades William M. Olin of Post '2G and George W. 
Powers of Post 15. 

At the Encampment of 1893 the committee made a report of 
progress and were given full powers to proceed with the publica- 
tion. The result of their labors is presented herewith. 

After due consideration, it was decided by the committee to 
print the records of the Encampments down to and including the 
administration of Department Commander Hawes, covering the 
period from the organization of the Department to the year 1881. 
Of these administrations, extending over fourteen years, the 
records of only five were in print : those of Commanders 
Osborn, 1869; Cogswell, l.sTl ; Sibley, 1872; Underwood, 
1873, and Kimball, 187-1. What appears in this history of the 
records of the administrations of Department Conmianders 
Cushman and Sprague was furnished by those comrades. Of 
the administration of Department Commander Bates in 1870, no 
official record could be found by the committee. The newspapers 
at that time appear to have given but meager reports of the pro- 
ceedings of our Encampments. Little or nothing appears in the 
Boston papers, and in the case of the f^ncampment which termi- 
nated Department Commander Bates' administration, the com- 
mittee was obliged to rely solely upon extracts from the Daily 
Courier of Lowell, where the Encampment was held. 



IV EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

From the administration of Department Commander Kimball 
in 1874, to that of Department Commander Hawes in 1880, the 
records, although not in print, were fully written out in the books 
of the Assistant Adjutant-General, which were copied by the 
committee. 

The committee is indebted to Post 35 of Chelsea for the use 
of its complete file of General Orders of the Department. As is 
generally known, the files at Department Headquarters were 
destroyed by fire in 1872 in Boston ; and the loss of these and 
other records of the Department has been a source of serious 
embarrassment in the work of compiling this history. 

To the compilation which the Department instructed the 
committee to make, has been added an appendix, comprising an 
account of the memorial services of Post 1 of New Bedford, on 
the 4th of July, 1867 — being the first held by a Grand Army 
Post in this Commonwealth ; — and a roster of all the Posts 
organized in the Department from the beginning to Jan. 1, 1895. 
This latter work has involved a great deal of care and labor ; and 
while, from the incompleteness of the records, the list is not 
entirely satisfactory, it will be found to be of much interest and 
value. 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

PROVISIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE FORMATION 
OF THE PERMANENT DEPARTMENT. 



The organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in 
Massachusetts had its inception in September, 1866. At that 
time Gen. Charles Devens, Jr., of Boston, Maj. Austin S. 
Cushman and Chaplain Alonzo H. Quint of New Bedford, were 
initiated into the Order during a visit to Pittsburgh, Pa., as dele- 
gates from the "Soldiers' and Sailors' Union" of IMassachusetts. 
It was agreed, according to Beath's History of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, that General Devens should act as provisional 
commander in Massachusetts, and each of the three comrades 
named was provided with constitutions and rituals and authorized 
to organize Posts. 

Immediately on his return from Pittsburgh, JNIajor Cushman 
took the preliminary steps for the organization of a Post in New 
Bedford, which was chartered by Commander-in-Chief Hurlbut, 
under date of Oct. 4, 1866. The charter members were A. S. 
Cushman, G. R. Hurlbut, Alonzo H. Quint, E. H. Robbins, 
Thomas Edwards, D. B. Coleman, and William S. Cobb. Major 
Cushman was chosen Post Commander. " This," says Beath's 
History, "was the first Post chartered in the East; and it has 
maintained its organization constantly to the present time, though 
the charter was subsequently replaced by one issued Oct. 14, 1866, 
in order that the Post might have the first charter issued by Com- 
rade Cushman as provisional commander of the Department, he 
having accepted that office upon the request of Gen. Devens." 

5 



6 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Provisional Commander Cushman's first general order, which 
is published in full in its appropriate place in this History, is 
dated Feb. 22, 1867. He appointed Thomas Edwards of Post 1 
as Assistant Adjutant-General. In the list of officers and mem- 
bers of the Council of Administration announced in this first 
general order, only four Posts were represented, — Post 1 of 
New Bedford, Post 2 of Nantucket (which was organized soon 
after the formation of Post 1, but did not long retain its charter). 
Posts of Taunton (chartered Jan. 2, 1867), and Post 4 of Melrose, 
chartered Feb. 19, 1867. Before the expiration of February, 
Post 5 of Lynn was organized. During the month of March, 
Post 6 came into existence at Holliston, Post 7 at Boston, Post 8 
at Middleborough, Post 9 at Hudson, and in April came the ad- 
vent of Post 10 of Worcester and Post 11 of Charlestown. The 
Rules and Regulations prescribing that whenever ten Posts were 
established in the State an election of Department Commander 
should be held and the regular working of the Order should com- 
mence, these accessions enabled the Provisional Commander to 
call an encampment for tlie organization of a permanent Depart- 
ment. This he did by General Order No. 3, dated April 22, 
1867 ; and the encampment was held at New Bedford on the 7th 
of May following. 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 



By the order quoted above each Post was instructed to 
send one delegate for every twenty-five of its members. In order 
to secure a general attendance of delegates without their incur- 
rhig a loss of time, and also to attract the favorable attention of 
the soldiers and sailors of the late war to the objects and character 
of the organization, it was deemed best to hold the Encampment 
in the evening, and, prior to the transaction of business, to have 
a public address in an open session to which everybody should be 
invited. Accordingly the Commander appointed a Committee of 
Arrangements consisting of F. L. Oilman, David B. Coleman 
and William T. Soule, who secured the Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, 
D.D., as the orator of the occasion. 

Of the eleven Posts then organized, delegates were present 
except from Post 2 of Nantucket; and as all had arrived, in the 
afternoon an informal conference was had at Mechanics Hall on 
William Street, then occupied by Post No. 1. The Commander 
explained the reasons for holding a public meeting; and his 
course met with general approval, as it was believed that it 
would tend to increase membership in all the Posts, secure popu- 
lar approval and remove prejudice by the publicity which would 
be given to its proceedings through the newspapers. At such 
conference the credentials were collected and verified by the 
Assistant Adjutant-Oeneral, Thomas Edwards, and an order of 
business was decided upon for the evening session. It -was 
arranged that the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements 
should call the meeting to order and announce the Provisional 
Commander as Chairman of the meeting, William T. Soule Sec- 
retary, and a list of vice-presidents comprising all the delegates 
in attendance ; that the Commander should make some prefatory 
remarks and introduce the orntor, and that at the conclusion of 
Dr. Quint's address the public should retire and the Encampment 
g^ into secret session for the transaction of business. 

7 



8 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The public meeting bad been advertised for several days in 
the local papers, and considerable interest was awakened to wit- 
ness the assembling of the first meeting of the Department. At 
7 o'clock, the hour appointed for the meeting, the Chairman of 
the Committee of Arrangements called the meeting to order and 
announced the list of officers for the evening. 

The Commander, on assuming the chair, expressed his gratifi- 
cation that so many who were eligible to membership in the Grand 
Army had evinced by their presence a desire to learn something 
of its purposes, and trusted that they might be led to unite with 
the organization and assist in its establishment. He was also 
gratified to see so many patriotic citizens assembled, to whom he 
could commend the new organization as deserving of their active 
sympathy and support. The disbandment of the largest army 
that had ever been assembled was an event which might well occa- 
sion solicitude. History showed that men relieved from discipline 
often became demoralized and dispirited from inability to find 
employment, were peculiarly tempted to resort to crime or plunged 
into reckless dissipation, to their consequent ruin. If we would 
fulfill the promises made when men were wanted at the front, if 
we would keep our prisons and our almshouses from being filled 
with the lawless and the indigent from among those who were 
idle from necessity and not from choice, we must render efficient 
aid to every soldier, which may enable him to resume his place as 
a worker in the community, and foster that self-respect which will 
incite him to improve his condition in life. The Order which we 
represent is of recent origin. It invites to its membership all who 
can exhibit an honorable discharge from the army, the navy or 
the marine corps. Its purposes and objects are freely published 
to the world for its approval, and appeal to the loftiest patriotism 
and the most unselfish benevolence of all who desire the welfare 
of our common country and honor the defenders of the nation's 
life. 

We avow our purpose to be : — 

1. The preservation of those kind and fraternal feelings 
which have bound together the soldiers and sailors who have 
stood together in many battles, sieges, engagements and marches. 

2. To demonstrate the strength of these ties by works of 
kindness and material aid to those who need assistance. 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 9 

3. To provide as far as it may be possible for the support, 
care and edueatiou of the orphans of soldiers or sailors, and for 
the maintenance of the widows of soldiers or sailors. 

4. To render protection and assistance to disabled soldiers 
or sailors, whether disabled by wounds, disease, old age or 
misfortune. 

5. To establish and defend the rights of the soldiers and 
sailors lately in the service of the United States, with a view to 
secure a proper appreciation and recognition of their services and 
the acknowledgment of their just claims upon the community. 

6. To maintain an unswerving allegiance to the United States 
of America, based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to 
the National Constitution and laws, and manifesting itself by 
discountenancing whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to 
insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner impair the 
efficiency and permanency of our free institutions ; also to serve 
as the defenders of universal libert}', equal rights and justice to 
all men. 

With these practical explanations the chairman introduced 
the Rev. Alonzo H. (^uint, as a comrade and a charter member of 
Post 1 of New Bedford, who had been mustered into the Order 
at the same time as the Commander, at Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 
25th day of September, 18G6. Dr. Quint spoke substantially as 
follows : — 

" The war was not in vain : the country is progressing politi- 
cally, and the South has evidently had enough fighting. I con- 
gratulate the soldiers and sailors on what they have accomplished 
and on the spirit of the Grand Army with its cementing of friend- 
ships and its worthy objects. 

" The soldiers owe it to society, as to themselves, to be indus- 
trious and sober citizens ; and they do ask the privilege of being 
such, but do not always have it accorded to them. A few 
instances have come to my personal knowledge Avhere a discrimi- 
nation in the hiring of workmen was exercised against them 
because they had been soldiers. This should not be ; and instead 
of being denied the emjiloyment which they honorably seek, they 
should be preferred over those who would not take u^) arms iu 
the hour of the nation's need. 

"They should be law-abiding citizens, and the great mass of 
them desire to be, notwithstanding copperheads and the agents 
of the American Peace Society try to make it a[)pear otherwise. 

"They should be thoroughly steadfast to loyalty and abide by 
the principles of government they fought to sustain, which is 
founded on the doctrine of equal rights for all. I recall the time 
when 1 was in P^ast Tennessee, and a white regiment refused to 



10 EARLY HISTOUY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

do picket duty with an Alabama colored regiment ; in the next 
battle that occurred the white regiment disgraced itself ; but the 
blacks showed themselves to be true and steady in the hour of 
greatest need. Those who are not actuated by the spirit of our 
free institutions are not tit to defend them. Those who fought 
for the cause of Freedom, of all men, should detest the spirit of 
caste that would degrade labor. It is a nobler thing to take the 
hand of a faithful, brave soldier than that of the greatest aris- 
tocrat on earth. The man who fought for loyalty, not fame, 
did his duty, and now, perhaps, sleeps in an unknown grave, is 
the noblest hero of the war. 

" The returned soldiers respect the flag, which represents the 
dignity of a free people. We learned what the flag is by the 
Rebellion. It awakens a just feeling of indignation in every 
soldier's breast when we see it prostituted to all sorts of cheap 
entertainments. They must feel a spirit of detestation for those 
who rose in opposition to that beloved tlag — who are not to be 
forgiven till they repent : neither Southern nor Northern rebels. 
The former show more sense of repentance than do the latter, 
who will still bear watching. They want your votes ; but I would 
sooner cut off my right hand before I would cast one for them. 
The war was educational in its influences, and the hand that held 
the musket was guided by an active, thinking brain which com- 
prehended to its fullest extent the magnitude of the principles 
iuvolved in the contest. On the whole tlie soldiers were elevated 
in character by tlie war. 

" Society owes gratitude to the soldiers who took their lives in 
their hands and went through all manner of hardships unto death 
for the best of human governments. Employment should be 
furnished to all who desire it : give them as good a chance, and 
perhaps a little better, in return for breaking up their business 
and entering the public service. The helpless soldier should be 
charitably remeu)bered. The government should be more liberal 
in tlie matter of pensions. All arguments against the equaliza- 
tion of bounties are fallacious — there may be sound ones against 
their expediency. A member of the General Court from this 
vicinity maintains that if he hires a man a year at thirteen dollars 
per month, and the next year laborers are scarce and he has to 
give twenty dollars, it does not follow that he should increase the 
wages from the beginning of the first year. The fallacy of this 
reasoning is that it classifies the soldier as a hireling and rewards 
as wages. Rewards should be equal where the merits are equal. 

" It is urged that the first soldiers should not have been paid 
large bounties, becaHse their families could live cheaper than in 
the following years when prices of necessaries were enhanced ; but 
it cost as much the third year after they enlisted as it did for the 
families of the raw recruits at the same time. Those who re- 



THli FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 11 

ceived the high bounties ^vcre not generally as good men as tliose 
who received none. Eight hundred of them were sent to the 
regiment to which I was attached, and all but three hundred and 
forty deserted on the way. Those deserters pay no taxes; but 
the soldiers who received no bounty are now as tax payers payino- 
the bounty debts. 

" One thing is clear, I think, to the minds of all. If all those 
who could have gone had volunteered, as did those who without a 
bounty went to the war at their country's call, no excessively 
large bounties would have been required, and a part of the great 
weight of present and future taxation would have been avoided. 
It was the scarcity of volunteers ; it was the evasion of duty by 
those who could go and would not go that occasioned this injustice 
of discrimination, of which those who patriotically did their full 
duty without a bounty now complain. 

" If the bounties are not equalized, the next time that we 
should find ourselves involved in war, people will naturally say, 
'Don't volunteer too early.' However, the bounty question is not 
a very important one — most soldiers are satisfied if they get a 
chaucj to earn an honest living. 

" There are many impostors asking charity as disabled sol- 
diers ; and the community would be safer to give their contributions 
to tha officials of the Grand Army of the Republic, who will see to 
it that they are worthily bestowed. Here they would feel assured 
thit the disabled, and the families bereft of their bread-winners 
by the sacrifices of the war, would find some substantial aid in 
their struggles to eke out a subsistence. Thus can the patriotic 
redeem the pledges of the past and assist in bearing the burdens 
which the members of the Grand Army have by their organic law 
assumed. 

" Since the war all nations stand in dread of provoking a quar- 
rel with America. Our war has thus prevented the possibilities of 
war for years to come. Though you have learned the art of war, 
yet are you really the heralds of peace. You secure its blessings 
to this generation at least, and afford the basis for hope of their 
continuance to posterity. As in the field the fiag was the promi- 
nent object to which all eyes turned and which all loyally followed, 
so the great cause of human freedom and equal rights which it 
represented, with like lo3\alty and zeal the (irand Army of the 
Republic continues to serve with a soldier's fidelity and devotion. 
To lay it starts upon an enlarged field of useful endeavor, with 
tha noblest of purposes — devotion to your comrades and loyalty 
to your country. Under the same flag which witnessed your zeal 
in its defense, which billowed your battles, and which issued from 
the smoke and carnage of four years of strife with its folds blight 
and unsuUiel l)(.'cause of your victorious protection and fidelity, 
you stand tonight calling upon all who testified to their love for 



12 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

the Stars and Stripes — by a common experience in the march, the 
bivouac, the tent, the hospital, or upon the crowded deck — to 
unite with you, to renew the comradeship which was cemented by 
dangers in which there was equality of risk and sacrifice, to 
maintain through life the high standard of loyalty which stimulated 
you for four long years of trial and suffering, and to alleviate the 
sorrows of your wounded or sick conn-ades and of the bereaved 
families of those who paid their debt to duty by the full measure 
of their life's blood. With a brotherhood extending wherever 
that flag floats, the time is not far distant when the ranks of the 
Grand Army will include in a glorious fraternity every surviving 
soldier or sailor who did his duty. None other can enter it. 
Gold cannot purchase the envied distinction of its nobility. But 
there will come a time when, by the inexorable limitation to human 
life, the Grand Army will pass away and its activities cease. 
And when the last survivor of the veterans of the great War of 
the Rebellion shall have been relieved from duty here, and shall 
have joined the hosts of good men and true marshaled on the 
farther shore, our Order will have left an imperishable legacy 
to posterity in its brilliant record of benevolence, fraternity and 
patriotism." 

At the close of Chaplain C^uint's address the Chairman re- 
quested the delegates to remain after the public had retired. The 
following is a list of delegates in attendance : — 

Francis L. Gilman of Post No. 1, New Bedford. 
David B. Coleman of Post No. 1, New Bedford. 
William T. Soule of Post No. 1, New Bedford. 
Robert Crossman, 2d, of Post No. 3, Taunton. 
L. O. Barnard of Post No. 3, Taunton. 
Alfred M. Williams of Post No. 3, Taunton. 
J. T. Lurvey of Post No. 4, Melrose. 
Edward 1). Bean of Post No. 5, Lynn. 
David Walker of Post No. 5, Lynn. 
Charles S. Wilder of Post No. 6, HoUiston. 
8. F, Keyes of Post No. 7, Boston. 
R. H. Holmes of Post No. 8, Middleboro. 
Marcus Soule of Post No. 8, Middleboro. 
J. S. Bailey of Post No. 9, Hudson. 
J. A. Titus of Post No. 10, Worcester. 
A. A. Goodell of Post No. 10, Worcester. 
George H. Long of Post No. 11, Charlestown. 

Post No. 2 of Nantucket failed to send delegates. The 
Assistant Adjutant-General took his station in the place of Secre- 
tary William T. .Soule. 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 13 

The Commander called the Encampment to order and stated 
that the tirst business which required the attention of the dele- 
gates, under the Rules and Regulations, was to organize the 
Department of Massachusetts by the election of a Grand Com- 
mander, a Senior Vice Grand Commander, a Junior Vice Grand 
Commander, an Assistant Adjutant-General, an Assistant Quar- 
termaster-General, and a Council of Administration consisting of 
five members. 

On motion of Comrade S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7, it was 
voted that a committee of five comrades be appointed by the 
Chair to place in nomination a list of Department officers. 

The Commander appointed as such committee Comrades 

S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7, Boston. 

AVilliam T. Soule of Post No. 1, New Bedford. 

David Walker of Post No. 5, Lynn. 

J. S. Bailey of Post No. 9, Hudson. 

J. A. Titus of Post No. 10, Worcester. 

The committee soon reported the following ticket : — 
For Grand Commander, Austin S. Cushman of Post No. 1. 
For Senior Vice Grand Commander, A. A. Goodell of Post 

No. 10. 
For Junior Vice Grand Commander, B. A. Bridges of Post No. 6. 
For Assistant Adjutant-General, J. T. Lurvey of Post No. 4. 
For Assistant Quartermaster-General, Henry A. Hallgreen of 

Post No. 7. 
For Council of Administration : Alonzo H. Quint of Post No. 1, 

S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7, Robert Grossman, 2d, of 

Post No. 3, J. G. B. Adams of Post No. 5 and G. H. 

Long of Post No. 11. 

On motion of Comrade AVilliam T. Soule of Post No. 1, it 
was voted that the Encampment proceed to elect by ballot a 
Grand Commander and the other Department officers in the order 
of their nomination. 

On motion of Comrade S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7, it was 
unanimously voted that the Assistant Adjutant-General 1^ em- 
powered to cast a single ballot, as the unanimous vote of the 
delegates present, bearing the name of Austin S. Cushman for 
the office of Grand Commander of the Department of Massachu- 
setts. Assistant Adjutant-General Thomas Edwards accordingly 
deposited such ballot and declared tliat Austin S. Cushman was 
elected Grand Commander of the Department of Massachusetts. 



14 EARLY lUSTOKY DEPT. OK MASS., G.A.R. 

On motion of Comrade David B. Coleman of Post No. 1, it 
was unanimously voted that the Assistant Adjutant-General be 
also empowered to cast a single ballot as the unanimous vote of 
the delegates present, bearing the name of A. A. Goodell for the 
office of Senior Vice Department Commander. The ballot was so 
cast and the result announced. The Commander then declared 

A. A. Goodell of Post No. 10 duly elected Senior Vice Grand 
Commander of the Department. 

On motion of Comrade James T. Lurvey of Post No. 4, it 
was unanimously voted that the Assistant Adjutant-General be 
similarly empowered to cast a single ballot bearing the name of 

B. A. Bridges for the office of Junior Vice Graud Commander. 
The ballot being cast accordingly and the result announced, the 
Commander declared Comrade B. A. Bridges of Post No. 6 
duly elected Junior Vice Grand Commander of the Department. 

On motion of Comrade George H. Long of Post 11, the 
Assistant Adjutant-General was similarly empowered, by a unani- 
mous vote, to cast a single ballot for James T. Lurvey for the 
office of Assistant Adjutant-General; and the ballot being cast 
and the result announced the Commander declared Comrade James 
T. Lurvey of Post No. 4 duly elected Assistant Adjutant-General 
of the Department. 

On motion of Comrade Robert Crossman, 2d, of Post No. 3, 
the Assistant Adjutant-General was similarly empowered, by a 
unanimous vote, to cast a single ballot for Henry A. Hallgreen of 
Post 7 for the ofKce of Assistant Quartermaster-General ; and the 
ballot having accordingly been cast and the result announced, the 
Commander declared Comrade Henry A. Hallgreen of Post No. 
7 duly elected Assistant C^uartermaster-General of the Department. 

On motion of Conn'ade Francis L. Oilman of Post No. 1, 
it was unanimously voted that the Assistant Adjutant-General be 
empowered to cast a single ballot bearing the five names nomi- 
nated and reported by the Committee on Nominations for the 
offices of members of the Council of Administration. The ballot 
was so taken and announced ; and the Commander thereupon 
declared that Alonzo H. (^uint of Post No. 1, 8. F. Keyes of 
Post No. 7, Robert Crossman, •2d, of Post No. 3, J. G. B. Adams 
of Post No. 5 and George H. Long of Post No. 11 were duly 
elected members of the Council of Administration of the Depart- 
ment. 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMKNT. 15 

The Commander thereupon announced that he accepted the 
office of (xrand Commander, to wliich he had ))een elected, and 
thanked the delegates for the trust and conlidenco thus reposed in 
him. He pledged himself to do all in his power to promote the 
growth of the Order, promote harmony and extend the usefulness 
of the organization. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General of the Provisional Depart- 
ment then turned over the books and papers of his ollice to his 
successor, who assumed the otlice to which he had been elected. 

The Commander then declared the Department of Massachu- 
setts dul}' organized as a Department of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, and that the regular working of the Order in accordance 
with the Rules and Regulations applical)le to Departments, as a 
State organization, commenced from this date. 

Extracts from the Rules and Regulations, prescribing the 
duties of the several oHicers of a Department, were read for the 
information of the newly-elected oHicers. 

Comrade S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7 introduced the following- 
resolution, which was unanimously adopted : — 

Resolved, That hi the jiKl;;inent of this Encampment the Head- 
quarters of the Department should be establishcil in the City of Boston, 
and tlie Assistant Adjntant-CJeneral l)c on daily dnty tliereat dnrinjr 
business liours, in order to impart information, promote the growth of 
the Order and facilitate the disi)atch of oflicial business. 

No further business coming before the Eucam[)ment, the 
delegates joined in singing " Auld Lang Syne," and the Com- 
mander declared the Encampment closed. 



16 EARLY mSTORr DEPT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1867-68. 



IlKADCiUAUTERS G.A.R., DePT. OF MaSS., 

Feb. 22, 1867. 
General Orders ) 

No. 1. / 

I. Having been desiguated as Provisional Commander of tliis De- 
partment, I liave entered upon the discliarge of the duties of the office, 
with Head(|uarters at 117 Union Street, New Bedford. 

II. The following-named comrades have been detached for duty 
at these Headquarters: — 

Tor Asst. Adjt.-Gen., Thomas Edwards of Post No. 1. 
" Asst. Q.M.-G., Edwin Dews of Post No. 1. 
" Aide-de-Camp, J. Waldo Denny of Post No. 1. 

" " " Jas. T. Lurvey of Post No. 4. 
" " " " Alfred M. Williams of Post No. 3. 

Council of Administration. 
Alonzo II. Quint, Post No. 1. I. H. Folger, Post No. 2. 

F. L. Gii.MAN, Post No. 1. ROBT. Cros-sman, Post No. 3. 

Wm. T. Soule, Post No. 1. 

III. Until further orders the following Districts are provisionally 
established : — 

First District. Comprising the First Congressional District, with 
IIead(|uarters at New Bedford ; and Comrade D. B. Coleman of Post No. 
1 is hereby appointed Provisional District Commander. 

Second District. Comprising the Second Congressional District, 
with Head(|uarters at Taunton; and Comrade Zaccheus Sherman of 
Post No. 3 is hereby appointed Provisional District Commander. 

Third District. Comprising the Third and Fourth Congressional 
Districts. Headquarters and Provisional District Commander to be 
hereafter designated. 

Fourth District. Comprising the Fifth Congressional District. 
Headquarters and Provisional District Commander to be hereafter 
designated. 

Fifth District. Comprising the Sixth Congressional District, with 
Headquarters at Melrose; and Comrade Wm. N. Tyler of Post No. i is 
hereby appointed Provisional District Commander. 

Sixth District. Comprising the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth 
Congressional Districts. Headquarters and Provisional District Com- 
mander to be iiereafter designated. 

IV. District and Post Commanders will conform to the Rules and 
Regulations of the Order and to the mode of muster and enlistment 
herewith promulgated, and return dues and revenue and transmit 
reports according to Articles XII. and XIV., and Section 4 of Article V. 

By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
Thomas Edwards, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 17 



Headquarters G.A.K., Dept. of Mass., 

March 8, 18G7. 
General Orders \ 

No. 2. / 

Commanders of Posts are hereby required to forAvard forthwith 
to these Headquarters a complete roster of their officers, and to state 
the number of comrades belonging: to each Post. 

The regular quarterly report, according to Article XIV. of the 
liules and tlegulations, "will be made on the last day of this month : for 
form, see " Great Republic," No. 12. 

Hereafter applications for membership will be made according to 
the form herewith transmitted. 

By order of Department Commander, 

THOS. EDWARDS, 
Assistant Adjutant-General . 



Head<4Uartf:rs Provisional Dept. of Mass., 

New Bedford, April 22, 1867. 
General Orders \ , 

No. 3. i 

An Encampment of this Department will be convened at City Hall, 
in this city, on Tuesday, the 7th day of May next, at 7 o'clock, p.m., to 
elect permanent officers of the Department, adopt Rules and Regulations, 
and transact such other business as may be brought before it. Each 
Post in the Department Avill at once assemble and elect delegates thereto, 
in accordance with the provisions of Article XVIII., Section 1, of the 
Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic; and each 
delegate elected will l)e expected to be present. Credentials of delegates 
Avill be made out in duplicate, one copy forwarded to this office, and the 
other forwarded with the delegation. 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
Tiios. Edwards, Provisional Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



., Dept. of Mass., 1 
>MFiE[.i> Street, >■ 
TON, May 22, 1867. J 



Headqu.\rters G.A.R. 
Room 3, No. 8 Bromi 
Boston, 
General Orders) 
No. 4. i 

I. By virtue of an election held at New Bedford, on the 7th day 
of May now current, I hereby assume command of this Department. 

II. The following officers Mere chosen at the same time and will 
be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 

Senior Vice-Commander, A. A. Goodell of Post No. 10. 
Junior Vice-Commander, B. A. Bridges of Post No. 6. 
Asst. Adjt.-Gen., J. T. Lfrvev of Post No. 4. 
Asst. Q.M.-G., H. J. Hallgreex of Post No. 7. 

Council of Administration. 
A. II. Quint of Post No. 1. S. F. Keyes of Post No. 7. 

ROBT. Crossm.\n, 2d, of Post No. 3. ,T. G. B. Adams of Post No. 5. 

G. H. Long of Post No. 11. 

III. The Department is hereby divided into ten districts, each 
comprising one Congressional district, and designated numerically in 



18 EARLV HISTOKY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



the same manner. Until otherwise ordered Districts No. 3 and 4 will 
be under the charge of the same district commander. Tlie designation 
of district commanders will be announced in subsequent orders. 

IV. Comrade Wm. R. Maiden of Lynn is appointed as agent for 
the sale of badges of the Order, to whom all communications respecting 
the same should be addressed. 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- ChnieraL 



Headquarters G.A.R., Dept. of Mass., 
13 Exchange Street, Room 26. 
General Orders \ Boston, June 10, 1867. 

No. 5. J 

I. The following-named comrades having been nominated as per- 
manent Commanders of their respective Districts, and having been con- 
firmed by an election of the Council of Administration, will enter upon 
the duties of their offices and be obeyed and respected accordingly: — 

District No. 1, David B. Coleman of New Bedford. 
" " 2, Alfred M. Willl^ms of Taunton. 

" " 3, S. F. Keyes of Boston, who will also have com- 

mand of District No. 4. 
" " 5, J. G. B. Adams of Lynn. 

" " 6, Walter E^"ERETT of Charlestowu. 

" " 7, Ira B. Goodrich of Hudson. 

" " 8, George M. Woodward of Worcester. 

The District Commander of District No. 8 will assume command 
of Districts Nos. 9 and 10 until further orders. 

II. Immediately upon the receipt of this order the above-named 
Commanders will appoint their stalls, in accordance with Section 1 of 
Article XVII. of the Constitution; notify these Headquarters of all 
appointments made, and forward as soon as issued copies of all orders 
and circulars issued by such District Commanders. 

III. Pursuant to a vote of the Council of Administration, the 
Department Commander is required to instruct the several District and 
Post Commanders that, as Section 1, Article V. of the Constitution does 
not provide for the rectification of any error in balloting for candidates 
for initiation, hereafter only one balloting will be had; provided, how- 
ever, in case of a rejection, if the Commander of the Post is satisfied 
that a mistake has been made in any ballot, he may order another ballot 
to be taken immediately thereafter, if the same comrades are present; 
and no other ballot shall be taken. 

Bv order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headqi'arters G.A.R., Dert. of Mass., ^ 
No. 13 Exchange Stkeet, Room 26, \ 
General Orders \ Boston, July 6, 1867.) 

No. 6. / 

I. The following extracts from General Order No. 40, IIead(iuar- 
ters Grand Army of the Republic, dated June 22, 1867, are published for 
the information of comrades in this Department : — 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 19 



" The Comnicanclers of Departments and Provisional Departments 
are liereby notified tliat by tlie advice and approval of the Council of 
, Administration their Headquarters are drawn upon for a sum of money 
e(iual to ten (10) cents for each member in their Department on the 1st 
day of May, 1867, as shown by the rolls; and ten (10) cents for each 
member afterward admitted. 

" The amount of money assessed will as soon as practicable be trans- 
mitted to the Quarter nuister -General, August Willich, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

" The Commander-in-Chief expects the immediate fultillment of this 
order. The necessar}'^ expenses attending the accumulating business of 
these Headquarters renders this assessment necessary." 

II. Immediately upon the receipt of this Order, the Posts in this 
Department Avill transmit to the Assistant Quartermaster-General of the 
Department a sum equal to ten cents for each of their respective Posts, 
as shown by the rolls on the 1st daj' of May last ; and hereafter tiuar- 
terly, until further orders, a like sum for each member admitted during 
the quarter. 

III. Comrade George M. Woodward of Worcester is hereby 
appointed Commander of District No. 8 ; he will also assume command 
of Districts 1) and 10, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
13 Exchange Street, Room 26, 
General Orders) Boston, Sept. 21, 1867. 

No. 7. i 

The following Regulations are published for the information of 
this command, and Avill be strictly observed l)y every Post therein : — 

I. Comrades will not be admitted to Encampments of Posts in 
this Department upon the general password or parole merely, and senti- 
nels will be instructed to pass Avithin the lines only those who give the 
countersign of the Post, except upon the order of the Post Commander. 
Should any comrade Avho lias not the countersign of tlie Post demand 
admittance, he Avill give his name and the number of his Post, upon 
receiving Avhich the sentinel at the reserve will advance to near the cen- 
ter of the room, come to a slioulder, salute the Commander, and report. 
If any comrade present vouch for the visitor's connection with the 
Grand Army of the Republic, the Commander Avill direct the sentinel to 
admit him, but otherwise will instruct the Senior Vice-Commander to 
proceed to the outpost and test the visitor, when he will be admitted 
upon the favorable report of that officer, and not otherwise. 

II. Countersigns will be promulgated quarterly by Post Com- 
manders, and will never be used outside of the Encampment save when 
given to the sentinel to secure admittance. The countersign may, hoAv- 
ever. be changed at any time if in the judgment of the Commander it 
should be demandeil by the interests of the Post. 

III. No recruit shall be mustered by any Department o*- District 
officer under any circumstances, unless written application be made in 
accordance with Section 1 of Article V. of the Rules and Regulations, 
and the recruit be attaclied to a regularly-organized Post, upon the rolls 
of Avhich his name shall be borne. The mustering officer will date and 
sign the certificate of muster on the liack of the application, and forward 
it with the fee for enlistment and muster to the Post to w hich the recruit 
is attached. All comrades of the army in this Department not members 



20 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



of any Post will join without delay the Post nearest their respective 
places of residence, and no person will be recognized as a comrade Avho 
is not a member of a Post. 

IV. All orders will be read at the first meeting of the Post after 
the receipt of the same, immediately after the reading of the proceed- 
ings of the last meeting. 

V. The attention of District and Post Commanders is called to 
Sections 1 and 2 of Article XIV. of the Constitution, as it is expected 
that all reports will be received at these Headquarters within ten (10) 
days from tlie end of the quarter. 

VI. Comrade Horace C. Lee of Post No. 10 (Springfield), is hereby 
appointed Commander of District No. Ten (10), subject to the approval 
of the Council of Administration, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LiKVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
13 Exchange Street, Room 2(), 
General Orders \ Boston, Oct. 3, 1867. 

No. 8. i 

I. In order to give the comrades of this Department an opportu- 
nity to testify their respect for that eminent soldier of the Republic, 
Major-General Philip H. Sheridan, the Commanders of Posts will 
report with their commands to their respective District Commanders at 
the flag-staff on Franklin Street, in the city of Boston, on Monday even- 
ing nest, October 7th, at 7 o'clock. 

II. Commanders of Districts will report in person to the Assistant 
Adjutant-General of the Department at the above-named time and place. 

III. Comrades will wear the army cap, and officers will also wear 
sash and belt. Posts will provide themselves with torches, transpar- 
encies and such other illuminations as they may desire. 

IV. All who have served in the army or navy are cordially 
invited to unite with the Department on this occasion. 

By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEY', Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., ^ 

13 Exchange Strket, Room 26, |- 

General Orders) Boston, Nov. 6, 1867.) 

No. 9. f 

I. In order to secure unity, promote concord, establish fraternity 
of feeling and action throughout the Department, it is essential that we 
should not compromise our position by entering the arena of politics 
upon every issue that may be created, as such issues are ever changing 
and are soon numbered Avith the past; therefore, all political action on 
the part of Posts in this command is forl)idden. All resolutions, and 
any official action taken by Posts, and designed for publication, must 
invariably be forwarded through the proper channels to these Head- 
quarters for the approval of the Grand Commander. Any infraction 



THE FIRST ENCAMrMENT. 



21 



or violation of this order Avill be immediately reported by Post and 
District Commanders. , • ^ * ti „ 

II. The followins appointments have been made, subject to tlie 
approvalof the Council of Administration: — 

Comrade J. H. Mackie of Post No. 1, Surgeon-General; Comrade 

N. M. Gavlord of Post No. 15, Chaplain, of this Departinent ; and 

Comrade William Woods of Post No. 7, Commander of Districts Nos. 

3 and 4, vice Comrade S. P. Keyes, resigned. They will be obeyed and 

rpsn.'Ptod accordiuirlv. ^Y order of 

respected accoiaui^.\. ^ ^^ CUSHMAN, 

T T Liini'Y Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



IlKADQCARTEKS DkPT. OF MaSS., G.A.R., 

13 Exchange Street, Room 2(<, 
General Okdei^s ) Boston, Dec. 14, LSCT. 

No. 10. I 

1 At a mcctin'T of the Council of Administration, held at these 
Headquarters on the 12th day of December, a.d. 1867, the appointments 
heretofore made by the Grand Commander in General Orders Nos. , and 
rpsnectivelv Avere approved. 

K (3n the thirti-tirst day of the current month, quarterly reports 
and returns, as reciuiied by the Rules and Regulations, Article MV., 
Sections 1 and 2, must be promptly forwarded to District Head(,uarters; 
and District Commanders will, on or before the 4th day of January next, 
return their consolidated reports to these Headquarters. District Quar- 
termaster-Generals will receive and transmit the funds required by 
Article XII. of said Rules and Regulations to the Quartermaster-General 

of ^^^^ f**'»?(^!'f™''°{;g approval of the Council of Administration, the 
Commander hereby orders that a meeting of the Departnient be held in 
Boston on the mh day of January next, at eleven o clock -^•>' 'ftHa 
No 14, AVashin-ton Building, 221 AVashington Street. Each Post amU 
be entitled to one delegate for every twenty-live members. The basis ot 
representation will be the quarterly reports, as ordered in the second 
para-raph of these orders. Por a fraction over the multiple of twenty- 
ve%ach Post will be entitled to an additional delegate Delegates wil 
be chosen by the Posts on the receipt of this order, and credentials amU 
be signed in duplicate by the adjutants and countersigned by the olhcer 
prese^nt and in command; one copy of such credentials ^vill be ,an.- 
mitted to these Headquarters four days at least before said 8th day of 
January, and one copy be presented by the delegates themse ves at said 
mee in- Every delegate will l)e expected to be present, as^business of 
importance will be presented for consideration. District Commanders 

are also invilcd to attend. .»„,q +i,of +i,« oftAn 

IV The Council of Administration have requested that the atten- 
tion of the several Po^ts be called to the subject of the relief of soldiers 
and sailors' orphans, widows of deceased soldiers and sailors, and otliei s 
disabled l.v wounds, sickness, old age or misfortune, ^J^^^^^f >•«, ^"f f '^;^; 
to our sym'pathv and care ; and to suggest to the several Posts that the i 
delegate's be selected with a view to devising some p an which will result 
in uniformitv and efliciency throughout the ^^^P'^''^"^^";.- „ ,, ^ ^^ ., 

V Dele<rates will also be prepared to vote respecting the expedi- 
ency of adopthig a regalia or uniform for occasions of ceremony, 
ency m '-^"^^P^^.^ -^^^^ -,^^^.^ ai)plicant for enlistment and muster will be 
required to present his application therefor to ^lie Post nearest to his 
place of residence, and no Post will muster any applicant, other than 



22 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



residents in their immediate vicinity, "witliout tlie consent, previousl}' 
obtained, of tlie Post nearest wliicli tlie applicant resides. 

VII. A meeting of tlie Council of Administration will be held at 
these Headquarters, on the aforesaid 12th day of January, at ten o'clock 
A.M. It is hoped that all members of the Council will be present. 

By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuHVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



HUADQTTAUTERS DePT. OF MaSS., G.A.R. 

13 Exchange Stueet, Room 20, 
General Orders) Boston, Feb. 28, 1868 

No. 11. I 

I. The following extracts from the General Orders No. G, Head- 
quarters Grand Army of the Republic, are published for the information 
of comrades in this Department: — 

"It is the earnest desire of the Commander-in-Chief to have the 
Grand Army of the Republic on a strong working basis at the earliest 
moment possible. No similar organization, in this or any other country, 
ever espoused nobler purposes or possessed greater power for good. 
Previous military experience has taught the value of consolidated effort. 
Discipline lies at the foundation of all enterprises which look for their 
success to the co-operation of individuals scattered over large territory. 
Orders must be promptly obeyed and the Rules and Regulations strictly 
enforced, if we are to hope for any good to result from our efforts. 

" No comrade can have studied the object which we seek to attain 
without having perceived many Avays in which, by a trifle's labor or 
contribution from each, great good can be accomplished. 

" But all effort is futile until our organization is perfected and our 
strength concentrated into one harmonious body, working as a single 
person. 

"To effect an early and eflScient consolidation of the Order is the 
first object sought by the Commander-in-Chief; and this done, he will 
then have some plans to submit, which it is believed will elicit not only 
the approval of comrades everywhere, but will compel the admiration 
of those who noAV regard our Order with distrust or look upon it as 
ephemeral and a thing but of a day. 

"The Rules and Regulations, as now in press, Avill embrace also the 
installation and burial ceremony, as adopted at the last Convention. 

"The Ritual will only be furnished from these Headquarters, to 
Department Commanders, and through them to Posts. No comrade 
Avill be permitted to print the Ritual, or cause it to be printed, except 
upon written authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Each Post will be 
furnished with six (G) copies only, and these Avill be reported in quar- 
terly returns. When worn too much for use they will be surrendered 
and new ones supplied. Department commanders will at once make 
requisition for the Regulations and Ritual on the above basis — one copy 
of the former and six of the latter for each Post. The old Ritual will 
be burned as soon as replaced by the new. 

" All communications sent to these Headquarters, pertaining to the 
business of the Grand Army, must come through the ordinary channels. 
Members of Posts will address the Adjutant, and if he cannot answer 
the inquiry the communication will be forwarded to Department Head- 
quarters, and thence to the Adjutant-General, should it be found neces- 
sary. In addressing officers, all designation or marks on the envel- 



THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT. 23 



ope, such as 'O.B.,' 'GAR.,' or ' Dep't Com'r, G.A.R.,' etc., Avill l)e 
omitted. The name of the person and his address is siilRcieut. This 
precaution is thought essential to the safe transit of mail matter. 

" Comrade E. Jardiue of New Jersey (omitted in the list of 
officers given in General Orders No. 2) is announced as the duly elected 
Inspector-General. 

II. By the revised Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, districts are abolished. In anticipation, therefore, of their 
promulgation, it is 

Ordered, That Commanders of districts in this Department, immedi- 
ately upon the receipt of this order, transmit to these Headquarters 
all official books, blanks and correspondence in their possession. 

III. Hereafter all communication between these Headquarters 
and the Posts of this Department Avill be direct, and not through 
district commanders. 



By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEY, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. ok Mass., G.A.R., 
General Orders) Boston, March 3, lsG8. 

No. 12. / 

I. The following extracts from General Orders No. 2, Headquar- 
ters Grand Army of the Republic, are published for the information of 
comrades of this Department : — 

" It is hereby announced for the information of the Grand Army of 
the Republic that the following named officers have been elected and 
appointed for the year ending May, 18G9 : — 

Commander-in-Chief, John A. Logan of Illinois. 

Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Joshua T. Owen of riiiladel- 
phia, Pa. 

Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Joseph R. Hawley of Hartford, 
Conn. 

Adjutant-General, N. P. Chipman of Washington City, D.C. 

Quartermaster-General, T. C. Campbell of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Surgeon-General, John Bell of Ottumwa, Iowa. 

Chaplain-General, A. H. Qiint of Massachusetts. 

Council of Administration: Comrades M. F. Wentworth, Me.; 
D. J. Vaughn, N.II. ; A. S. Cushman, Mass.; James Shaw, Jr., R.I.; G. 
Cummiugs, N.J. ; T. B. Gates, N.Y. ; E. W. Whittaker, Conn. ; J. T. 
Hartranft, Pa.; A. W. Denison, Md ; N. P. Chipman, Department of 
the Potomac; H. B. Banning, Ohio; Charles Craft, Ind. ; Julius White, 
HI. ; William Philps, ^^ch ; Thos. J. Saunders, Iowa; J. A. Ege, Minn.; 
W. L. Moorehouse, Kansas; J. C. Fletcher, Mo.; H. D. Grant, Tenn. ; 
J. K. Proudfit, Wis. ; II. C. Warmouth, La. 

II. The following named comrades arc announced as on the 
Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

Assistant Adjutant-General, W. T. Collins of Minnesota. 
Assistant Inspector-General, Loi'is Wagner of Philadeli)hia, Pa. 
The remainder ol the Staff will be announced in subsequent 
orders." 



24 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



II. A special meeting of this Department is berebj^ ordered to be 
held at 221 Washington Street, in the City of Boston, on Thursday, the 
12th day of March, at eleven (11) o'clock in the forenoon, for the instal- 
lation of the olllcers-elect and the transaction of such other business as 
may properly come before the Department. 

III. Posts organized since the 8th day of January last will at 
once elect delegates for tlie present year, in accordance Avith Section One 
(1), Article Eighteen (18) of the Constitution. Credentials of delegates 
will be signed in duplicate by the Adjutant and countersigned by the 
officer present in command, and one copy immediately transmitted direct 
to these Headquarters and the other presented by the delegates at the 
meeting aforesaid. By order of 

A. S. CUSHMAN, 
J. T. LuRVEV, Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General, 



PROCEEDINGS 



ENCAMPMENTS OF 1868. 



The second Encampment of tlie Department was Iield at 
221 Washington Street, Boston, on the 8th (hiy of Jannaiy, 18G8, 
It was called by Department Commander Cushmau in General 
Orders No. 10, dated Dec. 14, 18G7. The basis of representation 
was one delegate for every twenty-five members. No reports of 
the proceedings of this Encampment appear to have been pre- 
served, and tlie press reports are extremely meager. Department 
Commander Cushman presided, and officers were elected as 
follows : — 

Grand Commander, A. B. R. Spragne of AVorcester. 

Senior Vice-Grand Commander, George H. Peirson of 
Salem. 

Junior Vice-Grand Commander, Mason W. Burt of 
Taunton. 

Surgeon, J. Marcus Rice of Worcester. 

Chaplain, Rev. N. M. Gaylord of Boston. 

COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

W. G. Scandlin of Grafton, 
H. C. Lee of Springfield, 
F. A. Osborn of Boston, 
William S. Cobb of New Bedford, 
II. R. Sibley of Charlestown. 

Austin S. Cushman of New Bedford, L. E. Stewart of Huil- 
son and W. R. Meldeu of Lynn were elected delegates to the 
National P^ucampmeut, with F. A. Osborn of Boston as an 
alternate. 

It was ordered that the Department Headquarters remain in 
Boston. They were then, as appears from General Orders, 
established at l-'J Exchange Street, Room 2G. Subsequently, 
under Department Commander Sprague, they were removed to 

25 



26 EAULY IlISTOKY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

50 Bromfield Street, where they remained during Commander 
Sprague's term. 

In the brief account of the Encampment which appears in 
the Boston Joanial it is stated that General Banks sent a letter to 
the Encampment, declining the position of Grand Commander. 

Department Commander-elect Sprague was present at the 
Convention and accepted the office to which he was chosen ; but 
none of the officers elect were installed until March 12, 1868, 
when a special meeting for the purpose was held at 221 Washing- 
ton Street, Boston, in accordance with General Orders No. 12, 
issued by Department Commander Cushman. 

Department Commander Sprague's first General Order is 
dated March 12; and in it he announces Thomas Sherwin, Jr., 
of Boston as Assistant Adjutant-General, H. J. Hallgreen of 
Boston as Assistant Quartermaster-General, E. P. Halstead of 
AVorcester as Assistant Inspector-General ; and Josiah Pickett of 
Worcester, A. S. Hartwell of Natick, C. G. Attwood of Boston, 
and ,] . W. Kimball of Fitchburg, as Aides. 



SEMI-ANNUAL CONVENTION, i868. 



A semi-annual convention of the Department was held at 
817 Washington Street, Boston, on the 1(5 th of July, l.sCS, iu 
pursuance of a vote passed at the special meeting on the 12th of 
March. About two hundred delegates were present. Sundry 
by-laws were adopted, and it was voted to hold the next annual 
Encampment at Worcester. 




A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 

1868. 



PROCEEDINGS 

or THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT WORCESTER, 
1869. 



The Third Annunl Encampment of the Department was held 
in Washburn Hall, Worcester, on the 20th of January, 18G'.). 
The Encampment met at 11 a.m., and continued in session until 
4 P.M., without recess. About two hundred delegates were pres- 
ent and Department Commander Sprague presided. 

In his address the Department Commander said : — 

The first Post in the State was chartered on the 4th day of 
October, 18G6. The Department of IMassachusetts was perma- 
nently organized on the 7th day of May, 1867, and at the com- 
mencement of the year 18G8 forty Tosts had been duly chartered 
and the names of about 1,'JOO members inscribed upon our rolls. 

At a meeting of the National pjicampmeut, held in the city 
of Philadelphia on the 15th, IGth and 17th days of January last, 
important changes were made in the revision of the Rules and 
Regulations as well as in our Ritual. 

The District system was abolished, bringing Post and Post 
officers into direct communication with Headquarters. This 
change secured uniformity in system and punctuality in dispatch 
of business, while it added largely to the duties imposed upon 
the Assistant Adjutant-General and without question has mate- 
rially retarded the establishment of Posts in sparsely settled 
portions of our Commonwealth. 

To facilitate the transaction, of business. Headquarters 
having been established at Boston, by the courtesy of Comrade 
Edward J. Jones rooms were secured in Bromfield Street free of 
cost; and to relieve the Assistant Adjutant-General of a portion 
of the detail of the office, I appointed Comrade C. W. Thompson 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Cieneral. 

During the past year the record of our Department will, 
we believe," compare favorably with any other. Erom forty Posts 
and less than 2,000 members, we have increased to seventy- 
seven Posts and more than G,000 members. 

27 



28 EARLY HISTORY DEI'T. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The Commander-in-Chief, remembering the noble sacrifice of 
the gallant dead, wisely set apart the 30th day of May last " for 
the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the 
graves of those who died in the defense of their country during 
the late Rebellion." 

In this Department the day was observed with becoming- 
solemnity. To the humblest grave and the costliest monument 
alike, the choicest flowers and freshest garlands were borne by 
comrades' hands and, with appropriate ceremonies, tenderly 
strewn in memory of the gallant ones who thought that " to die 
in Freedom's cause was something gained, and nothing lost to 
fall." 

In answer to a call from the proper authorities, this Depart- 
ment sent a quantity of flags to decorate the graves of our 
comrades buried in the vicinity of Richmond. 

Comrades, today it is your duty to designate such officers as 
are elective, into whose hands shall be committed the direction of 
the interests of our Order in this Department for the ensuing 
year. 

I fully appreciate the unsolicited honor which was conferred 
when the important trust, which I surrender into your hands 
today, was committed to my keeping for the term now closing ; 
and I embrace this occasion, coupled witli the announcement that 
I am not a candidate for re-election, to make grateful acknowl- 
edgment for the prompt assistance rendered by the Council of 
Administration and for the uniform courtesy extended to me at 
all times by my associates. 

I bear special testimony to the marked ability, fidelity and 
energy with which Assistant Adjutant-General Sherwin has dis- 
charged the important duties of his oflfice. With a clear head, an 
honest heart, and a just perception of the objects we hope to 
accomplish, he has labored faithfully and assiduously, and is 
entitled to receive your warmest commendation and my personal 
gratitude. 

Officers were elected as follows : — 
Gen. Francis A. Osborn of Boston, Department Commander. 
Gen. J. Pickett of Worcester, Senior Vice-Commander. 
Gen. Horace C. Lee of Springfield, Junior Vice-Commander. 
Samuel A. Green, M.D., of Boston, Surgeon. 
Rev. Wm. S. Scandlin of Grafton, Chnplain. 

Representative at Large to National Convention : A. E. R. 

Sprague of AVorcester. 
Council of Administration : A. B. R. Sprague of Worcester, 
Henry R. Sibley of Charlestown, Wm. S. Cobb of New 
Bedford, Luke Lyman of Northampton and Geo. H. 
Peirson of Salem. 



Tllllin ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



2'J 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1868-69. 



Headqiartf-Rs Dei'T. of Mass., G.A.R., 
General Order.s 1 Boston, March 12, 18G8. 

No. 1. i 

The undersio-ncd, having been dnly elected Grand Commander of 
this Department for the ensuing year, hereby assumes command, ^\n\x 
Headquarters in the City of Boston. 

The following named officers have been elected and appointed, and 
they will be respected accordingly : — 

Senior Vice Grand Commander, George H. Peirson of Salem. 
Junior Vice Grand Commander, Mason W. Burt of Taunton. 
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thomas Siierwin, Jr., of Boston, 
Assistant Quartermaster General, II. J. Hallgreen of Boston. 
Assistant Inspector-General, E. P. Halsted of Worcester. 
Surgeon, J. Marcus Rice of Worcester. 
Chaplain, Rev. N. M. Gavlord of Boston. 
Council of Administration. 
Comrade W. G. Scanpltn of Grafton. 
H. C. Lee of Springfield. 
F. A. OsnoRN of Pioston. 
" William S. Cobb of New Bedford. 
H. R. Siblf.y of Charlestown. 
Aides. 
Comrade J. Pickett of Worcester. 
A, S. Hartwell of Natick. 
C. G. Attwood of Boston. 
J. W. Kimball of Fitchburg. 
Official ■ ^- B- li- SPRAGUE, 

Taos. Sherwin, Jr., ^''"""'^ Commander. 

. issista n t Adj uta n t- Gen eral. 
N B Copies of the New Ritual are now ready for issue by Assist- 
ant Quartermaster-General Hallgreen, U Exchange Street, to comrades 
authorized to receive them by Post Commanders. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G A R , 
General Orders 1 Boston, March 18, 1808. 

No. 2. J 

I. Until further notice the Head(iuarters of this Department will 
beestablishedat Room 11, No. r,0 Bromfield Street, Boston 

II Comrade Charles W. Thompson, of Post I'y, is hereby desig- 
nated as Actiuii- Assistant Adjutant-General, and will at once report for 
duty at Dip.irtment Head<|uarters, where he may be found by comrades 
who desire information upon artairs pertaining to the interests of the 
Order, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 



30 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



III. To ensure uniformity in the transaction of official business, 
all communications from tlie several Posts to Department Head<iuarters 
should be written upon paper of the ordinary letter size, addressed to 
the Assistant Adjutant-General, and signed by the Post Commander or 
senior officer present. The letter should be folded twice, and endorsed 
upon the first (or upper) fold, as follows : — 

Headquarters Post 

Mass 186 



Post Commander or other officer. 
(Here state briefly the contents of the letter.) 

N.B. If there are enclosures, it should also be noted below the 
synopsis of the letter's contents. 

The direction upon the envelope should be simply " Thomas Sherwin, 
Jr., Boston, Mass.," with nothing to indicate the document as an official 
paper of the Order. 

By order of 

A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 
Thos. Sherwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
General Orders! Boston, March 24, 18G8. 

No. 3. J 

I. In conformity with Section 1, Article XIV., Rules and Regu- 
lations of the Grand Army of the Republic for 1868, Post Commanders 
will, on the 31st inst., and subsequently on the last days of June, Septem- 
ber and December, forward to these Headquarters the Quarterly Reports 
of their respective Posts, upon blanks to be furnished for that purpose. 

II. The Post Quartermaster's Report, required by Section 2, Arti- 
cle XIV., will be sent direct to the Assistant Quartermaster-General 
of the l')epartment transmitting the amount of dues for the quarter. 

The estimate of this amount will be based >ipon the entire number 
of members Ijorne upon the rolls on the date of report, at the rate of 
two and a half cents per member. 

Per order 

A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 
T. Sherwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assista nt Adjutant- General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
50 Bromfield Street, Room 11, 
General Orders) Boston, May 16, 1868 

No. 7. / 

In transmitting General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic, 
to the Posts of this Department, the Grand Commander deems it unwise 
to prescril)e any uniform manner of showing our respect for our de- 
ceased comrades, but leaves to each Post to adopt such ceremony as 
may seem most appropriate. 



THIRD ANNUAL ENCAMrMENT. 31 

To nornetuate and keep bright the memory of our former comradcs- 

V ,?v.. V testimo.nil ot^attection is left to us as a sacred trust 

,n-arn.s bj ^^^'^ ^^.'^\!"'^. \'.Uege. Ou the :30th day of May the members 

and duty -a l^f^"f^,l,Vte Nation will be engaged in decorating with 

nnn^i d biavein the hour of danger, should thus show their regard 

f\T,f'rvo ell whose worth we learned to knosv and appreciate. 

''"' The men ifMas^achusetts, the blood of whose sons was the tirst to 

■ 1 f ;, o of the Nation's honor, will not be behind their brethren 

*t";tL"it;".L i. 4u?yiug by tUelr prcseuce a,Kl c„„,c,a.lo. .heir 

"""lU;';c:„S'o°ttl,c G,-a„.1 Ar„.y,l»„ld assist ■„ the ,vo,-k, and 

"' '" u'i Jals,, s.ascstcd that tl,e cooperation of the ladles ^vhose anient 
e„tlu,"a;nf anc, l^alty f,.nl,..e.l s.d, lottn 
;;;;f"5l,r;;Y',Sn?Jra\K;\*^;:c^t;nenr'tLt'tUey be everywhere 

cordially invited to lend their aid. 

By order of 



Assistant Adjutant-General. 



A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 

Grand Commander. 



HeadQiarteus Dept. ok Mass., G.A.R., 

50 BkOMFIELD STKEEt, KOOM 11, 

^ . Boston, June 3, 1HG8. 

General Orders 1 

I ^The Grand Commander takes this occasion to congratulate the 
members o the Order in this Department for the success ul n^a""^^- " 
whi^h the Memorial observances of Saturday last were celebrated. By 
Uirearnest ami united ettbrts of our comrades the occasion was made 

'^"^ '^^^^l ^^Sf^^^y all classes of citizens thronglu^iit t^. 
State iiluS-ates how tenderly the memory of our fallen comrades-.n- 
«rm« w chorished in the hearts of the community, 
arms IS chensnea u requested to report at once to these 

preserved of this first Memorial Day. an anniversaiy hereafter to be 
°'-'S:n,!^i;^S°?;ir^:;;.S"u;:=rr^a<;e.parU.^ 

--iXc"S;;';vi[r'is:^r:r;;;^'^^?or:^'-- 

facts of importance. 

By order of 



CiiAiu.KS W. Thompson, 

Acthifj Assistant Adjutant-Crcneral. 



A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 

Grand Commander. 



32 EARLY IIISTORV DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R. , 
50 Bkomfield Street, Room 11, 
General Orders ") Boston, June 16, 1868. 

No. 9. / 

I. The reports for the second quarter of the current year, pre- 
scribed by Article XIV., Section 1, of the Rules and Regulations, will be 
due on the 30th inst. They should be sent by the retiring Post Com- 
mander, and accompanied by a complete roster of the oflicers-elect. 
The Grand Commander requests that there may be no delay in sending 
these reports, since it is only by promptness in transmitting them from 
every Post that his own report of the Department can be sent to Wash- 
ington in due season. 

II. By the advice of the Council of Administration, the Depart- 
ment dues for this quarter are fixed at five cents for each comrade borne 
upon the rolls on the day of report. The sura thus assessed should be 
sent to Assistant Quartermaster-General H. J. Hallgrecn, 14 Exchange 
Street, Boston, by post-ofiice orders or checks, I'ather than by mail. 

In this connection the Grand Commander informs the oflicers and 
comrades of the several Posts that, previous to Memorial Day, some 
fifteen hundred flags wei'e sent to the Department of Virginia from 
these Headquarters, and served to decorate a portion of the graves of 
Union soldiers who lie buried there to the number of nearly one hundred 
thousand. 

III. In pursuance of the vote passed at the last special meeting, 
the stated meeting of this Department will be held in Boston, at 11 
o'clock A.M., on Thursday, July 16th, in the upper Iiall, 817 Washington 
Street, corner Lucas (entrance on Lucas Street). Each Post is entitkd 
to representation, based upon the number of its members as established 
by Article XVI L, Section 1, Rules and Regulations. The credentials of 
delegates will be sent to these Headquarters, signed by the retiring Post 
Commander and Adjutant, Avithin one Aveek after the election, and a 
duplicate of the same furnished to the Assistant Adjutant-General when 
the delegates assemble. 

IV. Charters for the formation of new Posts Avill hereafter be 
granted only npon the petition of at least ten applicants, already mem- 
bers of the Grand Army, duly mustered and in good standing, Avho will 
thereupon secure transfer cards from the Posts in which they have 
acquired membership. 

This restriction, but lately imposed by the Commander-in-Chief, will 
not result, it is hoped, in checking the growth of our Order; but it Avill 
ensure the permanent success of Posts Avhich may be established in this 
way, and guard us against men who Avould be a detriment to us if 
admitted without the investigation into character and record which 
every candidate must undergo Ijefore his admission into a Post. 

It increases the duty of every comrade, for it devolves upon him 
the responsibility of inviting and urging to join such men as Avill add to 
our strengtli and usefulness. The principles upon Avhich the Grand 
Army is founded are. not exclusive. The privilesos of membership 
should be extended to every man who bore a creditable part in Army or 
Navy, in suppressing the Rebellion; and all such are needed, to perfect 
our power for assisting the needy and promoting the comrade spirit. 

The Grand Commander earnestly requests the Posts throughout the 
Department to cooperate Avith him, by the muster and transfer of com- 
rades, in establishing Posts in localities accessible to all Avho should be 
of our number and Avherever they promise success. 

Bv order of 

A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 
Thos. Sherwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



THIRD ANNUAL KNCAMPMENT. 33 



Headquarteus Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.R., 

50 BUOMFIELD ST15KET, KOOM 11, 

General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 21, 1.S68. 

No. 10. / 

I. For the purpose of asccrtainin£r whether business is conducted 
on a uniform and correct system in all the Posts of this Department, a 
special inspection has l)een ordered. The duty of visiting tlie Posts has 
been distributed as follows : — 

1. Posts 1 at NcAv Bedford, 3 at Taunton, 8 at Middleborough, 46 
at Fall River, 52 at North Easton, and 72 at Stoughton, will be inspected 
by Commander A. M. Williams of Post 3. 

2. Posts 4 at Melrose, 5 at Lynn, 12 at Wakefield, 33 at Woburn, 
34 at Salem, and 35 at Chelsea, by Commander J. G. B. Adams of Post 5. 

3. Posts 6 at Holliston, 14 at Hopkinton, 18 at Ashland, 22 at Mil- 
ford, and 70 at Franklin, by Commander George L. Sanborn of Post G. 

4. Posts 7 and 15 at Boston, 11 at Charlestown, 23 at East Boston, 
26 at Boston Highlands, and 32 at South Boston, by Comrade Orson 
Moulton of Post 15. 

5. Posts 9 at Hudson, 43 at Marlborough, 54 at Berlin, 59 at Ster- 
ling, and 64 at Clinton, by S. V. -Commander C. H. Williams of Post 9. 

6. Posts 10 at AVorcester, 20 at Paxton, 21 at Westboro, 24 at 
Grafton, 25 at Uxbridge, 27 at Oxford, 28 at West Boylston, 37 at 
Spencer, 60 at Whitinsville, and 61 at Webster, by Commander J. A. 
Titus- of Post 10. 

7. Posts 13 at North BridgeAvater, 40 at North Weymouth, 58 at 
Weymouth, and 68 at Dorchester, by Comrade B. F. Pratt of Post 40. 

8. Posts 16 at Springfield, and 41 at Westfleld, by Commander 
H. M. Phillips of Post 16. 

9. Posts 17 at Orange. 36 at Amherst, 44 at Northampton, and 71 
at Holyoke, by Commander Luke Lyman of Post 44. 

lb. Posts 19 at Fitchburg, 31 at Ashburnham, 48 at Groton, 53 at 
Leominster, and 69 at Westminster, by Commander T. L. Barker of 
Post 19. 

11. Posts 29 at Waltham, 62 at Newton, and 63 at Natick, by S. V.- 
Coramander A. B. Underwood of Post 62. 

12. Posts 30 at Cambridgeport, 56 at Cambridge, 57 at East Cam- 
bridge, and 66 at Med ford, by Comrade J. W. Coveney of Post 57. 

13. Posts 38 at Brookfield, 50 at Barre. 51 at North Brookfield, 55 
at Southbridge, and 65 at Warren, by Adjutant Rynier Rutan of Post 38. 

14. Post 39 at Lawrence. 42 at Lowell, 47 at Haverhill, and 49 at 
Newburyport, by Commander H. G. O. Weymouth of Post 42. 

15. Posts 45 at Gloucester and 67 at Manchester, by Commander 
A. F. Tremaine of Post 45. 

IL It was voted by the Council of Administration that travelirg 
expenses of the Department Inspectors be paid from the Department 
funds, and that the Posts be requested to defray the local expenses of 
the comrades I)y whom they are visited, in i)ursuance of this order. 

III. Blanks for Quarterly Reports have been already sent to each 
Post. The Grand Commander earnestly requests that there be no delay 
in transmitting the reports to this ofhce promptly on the last day of the 
month. The Roster of Ofiicers should give the names of those newly 
elected, and the report should be signed by the retiring Post Com- 
mander, Adjutant and Quartermaster. It is not expected that the col- 
umns headed " Occupation" and '■ Entry into Service" upon the Mus- 
ter Roll of Recruits will be filled, these particulars not having been re- 
quired of applicants for muster. If the space upon the ]\Iuster Roll 
is not found sufficient, additional blanks may be ruled to complete the 
list of Recruits. 



34 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Commanders whose Posts have selected names for their Encamp- 
ments are requested to report snch names under the headiui; "Addi- 
tional Remarks." The Grand Commander also desires a statement of 
any enterprise of general interest in which the several Posts may have 
been engaged; the concerts, lectures, and other entertainments given 
under the auspices of the Grand Army during the year, the amounts 
realized thereby, and the extent to which Posts have been enabled to 
assist needy soldiers and sailors or their families. 

The Quarterly Report should be sent to the Assistant Adjutant- 
General; the Quarterly Dues, of 5 cents per member, as fixed bv Article 
VI. of the Department By-Laws, to Asst. Q.M.-Gen. H. J. Hallgreen, 
14 Exchange Street, Boston. 

IV. In pursuance of the vote of the Department in Convention, 
July 16, ISC>%, the next regular meeting of the Department will be 
held at Waldo Hall, Worcester, at 11 o'clock a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 
1869. Credentials of delegates, signed by Post Commander and Adjutant, 
will be sent to this office immediately after their election, and duplicates 
of the same presented to the Assistant Adjutant-General, by the dele- 
gates themselves, when the Convention assembles. 

V. Paragraph IV. of General Order No. 9 is hereby revoked. 

By order of 

A. B. R. SPRAGUE, 
Thos. Sherwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 

DEPARTMENT COIMNIANDER, 

1869. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

■ ENCAMPMENT AT NEW BEDFORD, 
1870. 



The delegates to the Annual Convention assembled at New 
Bedford, January 19, at 11 a.m., in pursuance to General Order 
No. 12, series 1869. 

In the absence of the Commanders the meeting was called 
to order by Comrade W. S. Cobb of Post 1, senior member of 
the Council of Administration. Comrade A. B. Underwood of 
Post G2 was chosen as temporary Chairman. Subsequently it was 
voted that he should act as permanent Chairman of the Convention. 

A Committee on Credentials, of which Comrade Fox of Post 
68 was chairman, was appointed, who subsequently reported that 
79 Posts were represented by 190 delegates. It appearing that 
certain Posts were not entitled, under the Constitution, to repre- 
sentation, by reason of their failure to make the prescribed 
returns to Department Headquarters, it was finally voted that 
their delegates be admitted if some member of each delegation 
would become personally responsible that the required reports and 
dues should be forwarded within ten days. 

The Chairman appointed Comrade Hurlburt of Post 1 as 
Orticer of the Day, and Comrade Charles E. Rice of Post 15 as 
Officer of the Guard. 

By a two-thirds vote the Grand Hounds were omitted. 

ROLL CALL. 

Present : S. Hovey, Jr., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General ; 
W. S. Greenough, Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General ; O. 
Moulton, Department Inspector; Samuel A. Green, Medical 
Director; W. S. Cobb, Council; Henry 11. Sibley, Council; 

Luke Lyman, Council. 

3.5 



36 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF 3IASS., G.A.R. 

Absent: F. A. Osborn, Commander ; Josiah Pickett, Senior 
Vice-Commander; H. C. Lee, Junior Vice-Commander; Thos. 
Sherwin, Assistant Adjutant-General ; "VV. G. Scandlin, Chaplain ; 
A. B. R. Sprague, Council; Geo. H. Pcirson, Council. 

By invitation of the Chairman, Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint, 
Chaplain-in-Chief to the National Encampment, offered a prayer. 

It was voted that the charter members of Post 1, New Bed- 
ford, be admitted to the gallery. 

The records of the pi'eceding meeting were read and approved. 

Comrade Sibley of Post 11, of the Council of Administra- 
tion, made a report that the Council had considered a resolution 
referred to them at the last Convention, prohibiting Posts from 
decorating in cemeteries located in other cities and towns, with- 
out the consent of the Posts there located ; concluded with a 
recommendation that the further consideration of the subject be 
indefinitely postponed. Report accepted and recommendation 
adopted . 

The regular order of business having been suspended by a 
two-thirds vote, it was voted, on motion of Comrade Fox, that a 
committee of five be appointed by the Chair to consider and 
report upon the expediency of recommending a change of the 
Ritual and grades of this Order to the National Encampment, to 
meet in Washington in May next ; and in case they shall report in 
favor of a change, propose some plan for the same ; and that 
all propositions for a change in said Ritual be referred to said 
committee without debate. 

The Chair appointed on this committee Comrades Fox of 
Post 68, Bates of Post 58, Quint of Post 1, Blackmar of Post 
113 and Lyman of Post 44, who subsequently reported a recom- 
mendation that the delegates to the National Encampment be 
instructed to advocate the change in the number of grades, reduc- 
ing them to one, and that the Department has no power to make 
the use of the Ritual in this Department optional with the Posts. 
A draft of a ritual was submitted by this Committee, which is 
here omitted for obvious reasons. Report accepted and recom- 
mendation adopted. 

It was then voted to take an informal ballot for Commander, 
which resulted as follows : — 



FOUKTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 37 

Whole number received 1G6 

James L. Bates of Post AH, Weymouth, had . 1)6 
Wm. Cogswell of Post 34, Salem . . . (V.^ 

S. E. Chamberlain of Post 30, Cambridge . 1 

IGG 

Upon the formal ballot the whole number received 

was 163 

Necessary for a choice 82 

James L. Bates of Post 58, Weymouth, had . 110 
Wm. Cogswell of Post 34, Salem .... 53 

163 

Arid Comrade James L. Bates was declared elected. Upon 
motion of Comrade Blackmar of Post 113, the vote was declared 
unanimous ; and Comrade Bates being introduced to the Conven- 
tion, accepted the otiice and tendered his thanks in a brief 
address. 

On the informal ballot for Senior Vice-Commander, the 
whole number of votes received was 130, of which Comrade H. M. 
Phillips of Post 16, Springfield, had 117; scattering, 22. On 
motion of Comrade Emery of Post 26, it was unanimously voted 
to dispense with a formal ballot; and Comrade H. M. Phillips 
was declared elected as Senior Vice-Commander. 

The Convention then proceeded with an informal ballot for 
Junior Vice-Commander : — 

Whole number received 129 

Of which Comrade W. O. Fiske of Post 42, 

Lowell, had 72 

Comrade Jas. Brown of Post 3, Taunton . . 26 
Comrade Rob't Cowdin of Post 7, Boston . . 21 

Scattering 10 

129 

On a formal ballot the number was .... 175 

Necessary for a choice 88 

Comrade W. O. Fiske of Post 42 had . . . 110 

And upou motion, Comrade W. O. Fiske was declared unani- 
mously elected as Junior Vice-Commander. 

Upon ballot, the following were unanimously elected : — 
Dr. Samuel A. Green of Post 15, Boston, as Medical 

Director. 
Eev. Horace James of Post 42, Lowell, as Chaplain. 
Upon motion, a committee of ten, selected so as to give each 
portion of the State its proper share, was appointed to report a 



38 EARLY HISTORY DEFT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 

list of candidates for Council of Administration and delegates to 
National Encampment. The Committee submitted majority and 
minority reports, which were both laid upon the table, and the 
Convention proceeded to ballot for membei's of the Council of 
Administration. The following were declared elected : — 

Comrade W. S. Cobb of Post 1, New Bedford. 

" Henry R. Sibley of Post 11, Charlestown. 
" Luke Lyman of Post 44, Northampton. 
" John W. Kimball of Post 19, Fitchburg. 

On motion of Comrade Blackmar of Post 113, it was unani- 
mously voted to dispense with a formal ballot for the fifth mem- 
ber, and that Comrade J. E. Hollis of the navy be declared 
elected. 

It was voted to take from the table so much of the report of 
the nominating committee as related to the delegates to National 
Encampment. 

Upon ballot the following were declared elected : — 

Comrade and Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint of Post 1, New Bedford. 

" Chas. B. PVx of Post 6H, Dorchester. 

" Geo. S. Merrill of Post 39, Lawrence. 

" S. E. Chamberlain of Post 30, Cambridge. 

" C. C. Emery of Post 26, Boston Highlands. 

" A. B. Underwood of Post 62, Newton. 

" E. M. Chamberlain of Post 7, Boston. 

On motion of Comrade Emery of Post 26, it was voted, 
<< That the delegates to the National Encampment be instructed 
to present and urge an amendment to the Rules and Regulations 
which shall erase the word 'June' in Section 1, Article VIL, 
Chapter IL" (Thus making the term of office in Posts twelve 
months instead of six.) 

On motion of Comrade Sibley of Post 11, it was voted, 
" That the July session of the Department be held in Charles- 
town." 

On motion of Comrade Seaverns of Post 26, it was voted, 
"That the proper officers of the Department be directed to pre- 
pare for publication a record of the proceedings of this Conven- 
tion, together with the reports of the Department officers, the 
same to be distributed to the various Posts in the Department. 

On motion, it was voted to refer all unfinished business to 
the Council of Administration for action. 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 39 

On motion, it was uniininionsly voted that tlie tlianks of the 
Convention be tendered to Comrade A. B. Underwood, for 
the prompt and impartial manner in which he has conducted 
the unusually trying duties of Chairman of the Convention. 

On motion of Comrade Emery of Post 2G, it was unani- 
mously voted that tlie sincere thanks of the Convention be 
tendered to the retiring ofiicers for the faithful, efllcient and 
courteous manner in which all business has been conducted 
in the several departments. 

Adjourned. S. HOVEY, Ju., 

Assistant Adjutard- General. 



ADDRESS OF DEPARTMENT COMMANDER. 

Boston, Jan. 18, 1870. 
Comrades : 

The year of my official service as Commander of this Depart- 
ment has expired. It would have been more agreeable to me, 
and perhaps more satisfactory to you, if I could have appeared 
before you in person to render np the trust with which I have 
been charged ; but I am deprived of that pleasure by the impera- 
tive requirements of my business, which will not permit me to 
absent myself from Boston at present for even one day. 

The growth of the Grand Army in this Department has 
steadily continued. The number of Posts, which was 77 when I 
assumed command in January last, is now 117, showing an 
increase of 40, or about 52 per cent. P' our other applications are 
on the way to Headquarters. JNIost of these new Posts are 
thought to be favorably situated for becoming strong organiza- 
tions, and some have already attained a position of nuiuerical 
importance. I cannot state the number of comrades now borne 
upon the rolls, for the reason that very many of the reports of 
Posts for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1869, have not been 
received, and that many of those which have come to hand have 
been returned for correction. It will probably appear, however, 
that although large numbers of recruits have been nuistered dur- 
ing the year, the increase of the aggregate is not marked. This 
is to be accounted for by the fact that many comrades, whose 
interest has grown lukewarm, have neglected to take the second 
and third grades and have been dropped from the rolls. That 
a large number of these can be inspired with renewed interest I 
believe to be probable, and I recommend special effort in that 
direction. 

The reports of Staff officers will give you all needed informa- 
tion upon their respective departments. 



40 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

At the Conveutiou iu Jul}^ last, certain subjects were referred 
to the Council of Aclmiuistralion for their investigation. Their 
reports upon those subjects will be laid before you, and I com- 
mend their suggestions therein to your careful consideration. 

The most important occurrence of the past year has been the 
adoption by the National P^ncampment of new Rules and Regu- 
lations, establishing three grades of membership, and of a new 
Ritual to conform thereto. Upon the promulgation of these 
Regulations and Ritual, some opposition was manifested to them, 
partly upon the ground that they required of those already in 
full fellowship with the Order new obligations as the price of 
retaining that fellowship and its resulting advantages, of which 
no person, nor even the whole body of the Grand Army, had the 
right to deprive any member, except as a punishment for mis- 
conduct. However valid this objection might be theoretically, it 
seemed to be thought by the mass of the comrades of no practical 
importance, iu comparison with the benefits to be derived from 
continuance in harmonious relations with the other Departments 
(which so far as heard from have conformed to the new Rules 
without reluctance), and the opposition was overborne. The 
Posts throughout the Department were furnished with the new 
Ritual and work as rapidly as the force of Assistant Inspectors 
could communicate it. Upon the approach of the date fixed by 
the National Encampment as the limit of the opportunity of com- 
rades to take the new degrees of right without a ballot, I had 
numerous inquiries as to the possibility of extending the time of 
such right. As I did not concede that the National Encampment 
had the power to fix such a limit, I uniformly replied that I should 
make no investigation as to the date upon 'which the new degrees 
should be conferred upon a comrade already mustered and in 
good standing. »At a subsequent meeting of the National Encamp- 
ment the wisdom of this decision was atthmed by an extension of 
time. The fixing of a second limit, however, virtually denied 
the principle on which that decision was based, which I regret, as 
I still believe it to be the true one. From the reports of the In- 
spector, I am led to believe that the new system has generally 
been accepted cordially and tried in good faith, and that it has 
had a reasonable success. That improvements can be suggested 
is only what was to be expected : no system is perfected by theory 
alone. It is only after actual working has pointed out its short- 
comings, and suggested the way to remedy them, that anything 
approaching to perfection begins to appear. Among the improve- 
ments which seem to be called for are : 1. A change from three 
grades to two. 2. Permission for newly-mustered comrades to 
vote and take an active part in the affairs of the Post at once, 
with a probation of six months before becoming eligible to hold 
office. 3. A reduction of the Ritual, which is now tedious, to a 



FOLRTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 41 

length which will allow it to be committed to memory by the offi- 
cers. I believe these changes would be beneficial, and I commend 
them to your favorable consideration. Such as may be approved 
by you, your delegates may be instructed to urge upon the 
National Encampment. Conference with other Departments, 
through your Commander, will be desirable in the meantime. 

Before closing I wish to allude to a subject upon which my 
thoughts have dwelt very much of late. I refer to the necessity 
for greater forbearance among comrades, and a more charitable 
interpretation of each other's acts and motives. I have observed, 
1 regret to say, that comrades are inclined to be captious, tena- 
cious of their rights to the uttermost, sensitive on the score of 
dignity, and quick to take offense. It is not in matters of mo- 
ment ; for in such I am convinced that the brotherly kindness born 
of a community of danger and sutTering in a holy cause would 
overbear all other feelings and ensure a unity of sentiment and 
action ; but it is in petty matters — trifles too light to awaken the 
fraternal feeling — that this ungracious spirit is manifest. Let 
me earnestly entreat you to a constant and watchful i-epressiou of 
it ; for during its existence true harmony is impossible, and con- 
sequently true prosperity. 

1 desire to express my grateful appreciation of the valu- 
able services rendered by Comrade Sherwin in the responsible 
and delicate position of Assistant Adjutant-General. To him is 
attributable the largest part of any success which may have 
attended the Administration of the past year. The thoroughness 
and efficiency with which Assistant Quartermaster-General Green- 
ough and Inspector Moulton have conducted their respective de- 
partments must have been apparent to all who have been brought 
in connection with them, and to none more than to myself. To 
them, and to the other officers of the general and personal Staff, 
I desire to convey my thanks for the able assistance rendered 
during the j^ear now past. 

And now, comrades, I bid you an official farewell. I thank 
you for the honor j^ou conferred upon me by electing me to the 
office which I am now about to lay down, and still more for the 
kindly spirit and generous confidence you have always manifested 
toward me. I beg you to accept my best wishes for your indi- 
vidual prosperity and for the advancement of the Grand Army 
of the Kepublic. 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN. 
To tho Department Encamj^mevt, 

Department of Massachusetts^ G.A.R. 



42 EAKLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



REPORT OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Headquarters Dept. Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, Jan. 17, 1870. 

Commander Francis A. Osborn and Members of the Department 
of Massachusetts : 
At the last meetiog of this Department, held in Boston, 
July 21, 1869, certain business was left unfinished, being referred 
to the Council of Administratiou for action and subsequent 
report. In compliance with the wishes of the Convention, the 
following communication was sent to Headquarters Grand Army 
of the Republic : — 

Headquarters Dept. Mass., G.A.R. , 
Boston, Nov. 24, 1869. 
General : I have the honor to state that at the last Convention of 
this Department a resolution (of which a copy is hereunto appended) 
was referred to the Council of Administration, witli instructions to cor- 
respond witli you in reference to the subject. I have accordingly been 
instructed by the Council to state that the comrades of the Grand Army 
Avithin this jurisdiction have ever manifested a lively interest in " Memo- 
rial Day " ; not only observing it with impressive ceremonies, but being 
able to secure for it suitable recognition by the people and the authorities 
generally. We have been, however, unable to procure such supply of 
flowers as we could desire ; often those obtained being purchased at a 
high rate, because on the 30th day of May the season is not far enough 
advanced to mature them to any considerable extent. The Council are 
of opinion that the adoption of a day some two weeks later would 
remedy the difficulty, while the dift'ereuce would not be materially felt in 
the more southern Departments ; and the^^ have, therefore, instructed me 
to recpiest you to substitute for the ;50th day of May the second Wednes- 
day of June, or such other day later than the 30th day of May as shall 
seem to you reasonable and proper. A day of the week rather than a 
day of the month is asked for, to the end that " Memorial Day " may not 
again occur upon the Sabbath, as in that case some Posts observe Satur- 
day, others Monday, thus breaking uniformity. Entertaining no doubt 
but that the change would be acceptable to most, if not all, the most 
northern Departments, and sincerely hoping that you will find it con- 
sistent with your duty to grant this petition, I remain, General, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) FKANCIS A. OSBORN, 

Connnandiiijj Department. 

A copy of the above letter was sent to the Headquarters of 
the Departments of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecti- 
cut, Rhode Island and New York, requesting that these Depart- 
ments co-operate with us in securing a change of date. No 
answers have yet been received from any source ; but it is believed 
that all that is possible has been done by this Department to effect 
the object which is so desirable. 

On the question of the adoption of a badge for the comrades 
of this Department, the Council voted that the badge adopted by 
the National Encampment be recommended for adoption by this 
Department. 



FOUKTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 43 

The relative strength of the Department at different periods 
during the time I have occupied the position to which I had the 
honor to be elected in June, 18G8, may be stated as follows : — 

March 20, 1868, 52 Posts, 2,700 Comrades. 
June 30, 18G8, 57 " 4,361 " 

A gain of about 60 per cent. 
Dec. 31, 1868, 73 Posts, 6,189 Comrades. 

A gain of about 40 per cent. 
June 30, 1869, 103 Posts, 9,233 Comrades. 

A gain of nearl}' 50 per cent. 

Three months later, Sept. 30, 1869, the entire number of com- 
rades who had taken the obligations of the new grades was 7,524 : 
showing a loss of membership of 1,709. The strength of the 
Department Dec. 31, 1869, was 117 Posts and 9,000 comrades: 
showing a gain since Sept. 30 of 1,476. That the growth of 
the Department has been materially retarded by the new organi- 
zation imposed by the National Encampment which met at Cin- 
cinnati May 13, 1869, there can be no question. Had tlie rate 
of increase been the same for the six months subsequent to June 
30, 1869, as for the six months prior to that, we should now have 
nearly 14,000 comrades in this Department, instead of about 
9,000 as at present. 

That the complications of the new SN'stem and the appear- 
ance of additional secrecy have repelled manj^ whom we should 
have been glad to welcome as comrades, and have lost to the 
Grand Army many who, though not active and zealous members, 
contributed their money and in so far their strength to the Order, 
the experience of six months has amply demonstrated. Six 
months ago the Department was large, healthy and vigorous and 
eHicieut in the accomplishment of the noble objects which it aimed 
to effect. It is so today ; and by the wise liberality of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief and the National Council, in deferring from time 
to time the decree of i)roscription against those comrades who had 
neglected to assume the new obligations, most of the couu-ades 
may j'et be retained as members. 

It may readily be believed, from the reports of the Adjutant- 
General of the Grand Army, that some change in the organiza- 
tion — some stimulant to activity — was needed by other Depart- 
ments ; and the new system, while injurious to the Department of 
Massachusetts for a time, may have been of great advantage to 
our brothers in other States. 

The relief of those who call upon the Grand Army for assist- 
ance has been most faithfully attended to by all the Posts, so far 
as m}^ observation extends. I believe there has been no instance 
of the application of a deserving man or family for aid that has 
not been promptly and freely met by the Posts within w^hose juris- 



44 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

diction the needy one was found. I have had occasion to refer 
such cases to the Posts lying within the immediate vicinity of 
Headquarters, and the applicants have been cared for in every 
instance when the Post called upon had funds at the disposal of 
the relief committee. It may be proper to mention Posts 15, 
23, 26, 32, 57 and 68, as having afforded relief to several deserv- 
ing persons at my request. I take pleasure in mentioning as an 
illustration of the spirit of fraternity prevailing in the Grand 
Army, the promptness with which Posts 7, 26, and 32 fulfilled the 
last request of a soldier, dying of wounds in the National Asylum 
at Augusta, Maine, that he might be buried in the soldiers' lot at 
Mount Hope Cemetery. By the efforts of Commander F. C. 
Choate and Past Commander C. C. P^mery, and the courtesy 
of the Trustees of the Cemetery, the body was brought from 
Augusta, and on the 2d inst. followed to its resting-place beside 
the other noble spirits who, like him, had fallen in the nation's 
battles. 

The relief funds of many Posts have been expended freely, 
and in some cases have been exhausted by the continual call upon 
them. In consequence, those in need of help have been sent to 
these Headquarters. In cases Avhich I judged deserving I have 
advanced them money, amounting to a considerable sum during 
the year, and have been reiml)ursed, by vote of the Council, from 
the Department treasury. Cases of emergency must occur; and 
in the event of a Post being unable to do all in the way of ex- 
tending relief that may be expected of it, I think that a central 
relief committee at Headquarters, with sub-committees in sev- 
eral of the larger places, should l)e appointed to attend to the 
needs of those applicants for relief who do not reside Avithin the 
jurisdiction of any Post, but who are proper objects of our care. 

In view of the importance of this question of relief to the 
needy, which was one of the prime objects for which the Grand 
Army was formed, and one of the strongest claims which we have 
advanced for consideration and assistance from the community, I 
suggest to the Department that a resolution be passed assigning 
to the Council of Administration, as one of the duties of that 
body, in addition to those already prescribed, the charge of ren- 
dering to the Department Commander, quarterly, a condensed 
statement of the amount and kind of assistance rendered to sol- 
diers, or their families, by the relief committees of various Posts 
and the central committee (if any) ; that such blanks as are nec- 
essary be prepared and issued to the relief committees of Posts, 
and that those committees be required to report the amount of 
funds on hand, how such funds were acquired, and how expended. 

I make this suggestion because, though many Posts have 
shown great activity and zeal in securing money by concerts, 
lectures, subscriptions and other ways, and have given relief to 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 45 

many whom it may have saved from suffering ; though many thou- 
sands of dollars have undoubtedly been secured and judiciously 
disbursed, the reports made upon the subject are very meager and 
unsatisfactory, the relief committees of Posts not furnishing to 
Commanders this valuable information to embody in their reports. 
It will be impossible to form any idea from Post Commanders' 
reports, for the last quarter, of the condition or disbursements 
of Post relief funds. 

This is especially to be regretted, since, if the facts and fig- 
ures could be obtained, it would be shown that we are doing a 
great and useful work. We owe it to ourselves, and to those 
who aid us with funds for the purpose, to show how nuich good 
is done by the Grand Army. 

lu pursuance of the vote passed at the last January meetmg, 
the sum of 840 per month has been expended for the employment 
of a clerk at Department Headquarters. I have been much 
assisted by Comrades Hammond and Hovey, who have been em- 
ployed in the clerical duties at Headquarters. Colonel Hovey has 
held the position for several months, and has brought to the per- 
formance of its duties great earnestness, as well as experience in 
the details of the Assistant Adjutant-General's business. I have 
to thank him for relieving me from nmch of the arduous labor 
^\hich falls within the province of the Assistant Adjutant-Gen- 
eral's duties. 

In taking iinal leave of the position which I have held now 
for two years"— first, by election of the Department ; and second, 
by appointment of the Department Commander, —it seems appro- 
priate for me to call attention to the magnitude of the duties nec- 
essarily imposed upon the Assistant Adjutant-General. There 
are now 117 Posts, which number will be increased to 122 within 
the present month. The correspondence with these Posts, with 
the National Headquarters and other Departments, and comrades, 
devolves upon the otlice an amount of writing which requires the 
constant attention of the comrade holding it. The Assistant 
Adjutant-General must be a man acquainted with the entire 
system of books and papers which prevails in tlie I'nited States 
Army. The entire business day of the Assistant Adjutant-Gen- 
eral should be given to his office ; and to secure an incumbent who 
will do justice to the position, an adequate salary should be paid. 
The Rules and Regulations provide that such compensation shall 
be paid as the Department Encampment may from time to time 
determine. In other Departments, from one to two thousand 
dollars arc paid to the Assistant Adjutant-General. I respectfully 
recommend that the Encampment take the matter into considera- 
tion, and to vote to my successor such compensation (to include 
the SaOO uow appropriated for the pay of a clerk), as may l)e 
judged adequate to secure an officer of suitable character and 
attainments. 



46 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

In conclusion, I beg leave to say that my intercourse with 
the Posts and comrades of the Department has always been of 
the most agreeable character, and in my official capacity I have 
alwaj's met with courtesy and consideration. To the efficiency 
and intei-est of those who have had the administration of the 
government of Posts, I attribute a great portion of the success 
which has distinguished the Department of Massachusetts and 
placed it foremost in the ranks of tlie Grand Army. Through 
the whole history of this Department, from its inception in Feb- 
ruary, 1867, to the present time, when we are almost a legion 
strong, the Grand Army in this State has ever been true to the 
principles upon which it was founded — loyalty to country, fra- 
ternity among comrades, kindness and care for the needy and 
distressed. It has been united in good works, never vacillating 
from the lofty principles which should govern us ; and we now 
stand secure of the public approbation and recognized as a power 
and an institution in the land. I take leave to introduce here, 
for the iuformatiou of the Encampment, a letter recently received 
from National Headquarters : — 

[copy.] 
Headquarters Grand Army" of the Republic, 

No. 411 F St., Washington, -Dec. 27, 1869. 
Gen. Trios. Sherwin, Assistant Adjutant- General Dept. of Mass. 

Dear Sir and Comrade: I take great pleasure in testifying to the 
correctness and accuracy of your report from yonr Department for the 
quarter ending Sept. 30, 18G9. Among all tlie reports received none can 
show so favorably, or can exhil)it a better state of discipline, than the 
various Posts of your Department. 

I have delayed this acknowledgment purposely, in order that I 
miglit ascertain if there was any other Department that would compete 
with yours; but Massachusetts stands preeminently No. 1, just where it 
should stand. 

Allow me, my dear General, to congratulate you, and the Posts of 
your Department, for your efficiency in the good work ; and I trust that 
each quarter's report may exliibit a constant and steady increase in 
membership. 

********* 

Yours, in P., G. and L., 
(Signed) HANSON E. WEAVER, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, 

Yours respectfully, 

THOMAS SHERWIN, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



REPORT OF ASSISTANT INSPECTOR-GENERAL. 

Sir Departmcut Commander: I have the houor to present a 
brief statement of the Inspector's department for the year ISG'J. 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 47 

From February 1 to June 1, 48 of the 77 Posts organized 
prior to Jan. 1, 186'J, were inspected. Tiie work being changed 
by the National Encampment, at their meeting in Cincinnati, hist 
May, it was considered best not to go on with the inspection until 
after the new work was promulgated. 

The new work was given to all the Post Commanders, and 
most of the Post officers (with the exception of five or six Posts) 
in the Department, between the 23d and 81st of July. 

Since the 1st of November nearly every Post in the Depart- 
ment has been visited by the Assistant Inspectors ; and those that 
were not visited woukl have been but for the failure to get answers 
to communications in season to make the inspection during the 
quarter. The reports show the Department to be in very good 
condition, indeed, considering the entire change in the work, 
which has been a great hindrance to the growth of the Order here. 

There have been forty Posts organized during the year. 

I desire to say, in conclusion, that the present effective con- 
dition of the Department is due to the Assistant Inspectors, who 
have attended to the duties assigned them in their several precincts 
with an ability and promptness worthy of great credit to them- 
selves and the Order. 

Yours, in F., C. and L., 

O. MOULTON, 

F. A. OSBOKN, Department Inspector. 

Commavder Dept. of Ma s. 



REPORT OF MEDICAL DIRECTOR. 

I regret that I am unable to submit a report on the medical 
condition of the Department for the last year. It is only three 
months since quarterly reports were received from any of the Post 
surgeons, and even then the practice was not general. These re- 
turns are so meager and cover so short a period of time that it 
has not been deemed advisable to tabulate them. It is hoped, 
however, that during the present year they will be full enough to 
furnish statistics of value in regard to the Grand Army. 

In conclusion, I wish to bear cheerful testimony to the faith- 
ful performance, by the surgeons of the different Posts, of their 
duties, which can be appreciated only by those who have borne 
the burden themselves. And in conclusion again, I would con- 
gratulate the Grand Army of the Republic on the high position it 
has taken among the orders of the country. There is no chari- 
table association in the land which is conducted' on so vast a scale 
and which gives so much relief to the needy families of those who 
rushed to the defense of the government during the dark days of 

rebellion. 

SAMUEL A. GUEEN, 
Boston, Jan. 18, 1870. Medical Director. 



48 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 
FOR SIX MONTHS, ENDING DEC. 31, 18G9. 

Receipts. 
Balance cash ou hr.nd at Inst report .... $289.27 
Cash received of Gen. T. Sherwiu, A. A.-G. — Charter 

fees 130.00 

Cash received from sundry Posts — arrearages of De- 
partment dues . . . . . . . 10.10 

Cash received for Department dues for quarter ending 

June 30, 1869 452.33 

Cash received from sales of Books, Blanks, etc., to 

Posts, to Oct. 1, 1869 1,155.03 

Cash received from sales of old Blanks, etc. . . 3.10 

Cash received for Department dues for quarter ending 

Sept. 30, 1869 639.04 

Cash received for Veteran dues for quarter ending Sept. 

30, 1869 526.90 

Cash received for arrearages of Department dues from 

Post 49 2.48 

Cash received from sales of Books, Blanks, etc., to 

Posts, to Dec. 31, 1869 379.38 

Cash received from sales of Books, Blanks, etc., to 

sundry persons ....... 4.45 

Total $3, .592. 08 



ExpendUnres. 
Cash expended, as per vouchers .... $3,044.06 

Cash balance on hand ...... 548.02 

$3,592.08 



The above expenditures have been for the following-named 
purposes and amounts, viz. : — 

For clerical services at Department Headquarters . $244.94 

For Books, Blanks, etc., for the use of Posts . . 1,515.40 

For Inspection Expenses ...... 150.74 

For rent of Headquarters office .... 150.00 

For expenses of Delegates to National Convention at 

Cincinnati, Ohio 70.00 

For portion of expenses of Delegates to National Con- 
vention at New York . . . . . . 48.00 

For dues to National Headquarters for term ending 

June 30, 1869 92.33 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



49 



For dues to National Headquarters for quarter ending 

Sept. 30, 1869 ^lO.^l 

For Veteran dues to National Headquarters for quarter 

ending Sept. 30, 1869 ^-^6.10 

For Incidental Expenses of Department Headquarters, 
including charities, printing of circulars, general 
orders, etc., postage, telegrams, expressage, sta- 
tionery, fuel, furniture, etc., etc., etc. . 161.0i 
Total S3,044.06 

There is now remaining due from sundry Posts, for books, 
blanks, etc., S171. 46. ^,.,oi 

Value of books, blanks, etc., on hand, S4o2.31. 

No report or dues, either Veteran or Department, have been 
received from the Quartermaster of Post 98, Pittsfield, for the 
quarter ending Sept. 30, 1869. Post 49, Newburyport, has paid 
Department dues, but has not forwarded a quartermaster s re- 
port for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 1869. The Quartermasters 
of both the above-mentioned Posts have been repeatedly and ur- 
o-ently requested, by communications addressed through the Com- 
Sianders of their respective Posts, to forward their reports and 
dues without delay. In consequence of this neglect on the part 
of the above-named Posts, the consolidated quarterly report of 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General of this Department, for th^ 
quarter ending Sept. 30, 1^69, was forwarded to the National 
Headquarters in an incomplete state. 

W. S. GREENOUGH. 
Assistant Quartermaster- General. 



50 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



GENERAL ORDERS. 
Series of 1869. 



Headquartp:rs Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
General Orders "I Boston, Feb. 1, 18G9. 

No. 1. i 

I. The undersigned, having been duly elected Grand Commander 
of this Department, hereby assumes command, witli Headquarters at the 
City of Boston. 

II. He lias appointed as Assistant Adjutant-General, Comrade 
Thomas Sherwin, Jr., of Boston, Avho has rendered valuable services in 
the same capacity during the past year. Communications for these 
Headquarters will be addressed to him, at Boston. 

III. The announcement of the Statt" will be made hereafter. 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., y 
167 TREiMONT Street, > 
General Orders) Boston, Feb. 19, 1869. j 

No. 2. I 

I. The following Department officers are announced as having 
been duly elected at the Department meeting in Worcester, Jan. 20, 
1869 : — 

Senior Vice Grand Commander, Josiah Pickett of Worcester. 
Junior Vice Grand Commander, Horace C. Lee of Springfield. 
Asst. Inspector-General, Orson Moulton of Boston. 
Asst. Quartermaster-General, Wm. S. Greenough of Boston. 
Asst. Surgeon-General, Samuel A. Green of Boston. 
Chaplain, Wm. G. Scandlin of Grafton. 

Council of Administration. 
A. B. R. Sprague of AVorcester. Henry R. Sibley of Charlestown. 

William S. Cobb of New Bedford. George H. Peirson of Salem. 
Luke Lyman of Northampton. 

Delegates to National Encampment. 
A. B. R. Sprague of Worcester, Del ef/ate-at- Large. 
3. A. Titus of Worcester. S. E. Chamberlain of Cambridge. 

C. B. Kenfield of Boston. J. W. Denny of Boston. 

A. M. Williams of Taunton. W.m. F. Draper of Milford. 

II. Existing orders will be continued in force until further notice. 
Particular attention is caAled to Par. 3, General Orders No. 2, of March 
18, 1868, as follows : " To insure uniformity in the transaction of official 
business, all communications from the several Posts to Department 
Headquarters should be written upon paper of the ordinary letter size, 
addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General, and signed by the Post 
Commander or senior officer present. The letter should be folded twice 
and endorsed upon the first (or upper) fold, as follows : — 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 51 

Headquarters Post 

1801). 

Post Commander (or other officer). 
(Here give a brief abstract of the letter's contents.) 

The envelope should bo addressed to Gen. Thomas Sherwin, Jr., 
Boston, Mass., Avith nothing to indicate it as containing an oHicial paper 
of the Grand Army. , ,. . ^ 

III. Ke(|uisitions for boolis and blanl<s and reports of Tost Quarter- 
masters should be sent to the Assistant Quarlermaster-(;eneral, at 116 
State Street, Boston. He is now prepared to furnish the necessary 
Tost books, transfer and traveling cards, blank applications for mem- 
bership, etc. . „ , TT J 

IV The following extract from General Orders No. 9, from Head- 
quarters Grand Arniv of the liepublic, Washington, D.C., under date of 
April y ISGS. is republished for the infornuition of I'osts and comrades : — 

"V. 3. The doctrine in our Order should be 'Once a comrade, 
always a comrade.' A comrade who has been properly mustered in is 
entitk'd to the i)rivileges of the Order so long as he continues to be a 
member in good standing. Article XX. provides for transfers from one 
Tost to anotlier, and for traveling cards; and Article VI. provides for 
dishonorable discliarge bv coiirt-nuirtial or otlicrwise; but members 
cannot voluntarily withdraw from the Order without the consent of a 

BOSt." , TT 1 4- 

V. (^ommanders of Posts Avill at once report to these IIead(iuarters 
whether the Quartermasters of their respective I'osts have complied with 
Section 1, Article XIX., of the Rules and Regulations. , , „ . 

It is also re.piested that copies of all General Orders issued by Post 
Commanders be transmitted to this oftice as soon as possible after the- 
promulgation thereof. . . , » ^. . ■ ^ 4. 

V'l The foUoAving-named comrades are appointed Acting Assistant 
Inspectors-General, and will report for instructions and assignment to 
Assistant Inspector-General Orson Moulton: — 

W H L wvHENCK of E. Boston. T. L. Bakkku of Fitchburg. 

C W C RiioADKS of Boston Highl'ds. W. F. Dhapku of Millord. 
J.' W. HoLMKS of Springlield. G. S. Mkkkill of Lawrence. 

CUAS. II. Cleveland of Worcester. O. L. WiLnrit of New Bedford. 

Gr.oufiK II. LoNd of Charlesto.\vn. 

VII A room for Department Headtiuarters has been taken at No. 
1(37 Trem'ont Street, Boston, which will be open for the visits of com- 
rades daily (Sundays excepted), from 10 a.m. till 2 r.M. _ 

VIII Notice is "iven that the Grand Commander has issued a 
charter to'Post 78, at sV Abington, and that the following officers of said 
Post have been elected and installed: Post Commander, I' . I . Harlow; 
Senior Vice-Commander, C. F. Allen; Junior Vice-Commander J. 1^ 
Whitcomb; Adjutant, II. W. Powers; Quartermaster, L. B. Noyes ; 
Surgeon, B. F. llastings; Chaplain. J. E. Bates; Sergeant-Major, Isaac 
Cook ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, II. F. Copeland. , „ . „ .^^^^f 

ix A|)pended will be found a list of the Posts of this Department, 
with t'he names of Commanders, location and Encampment title. Any 
change of Commanders will be i)romptly reported to this o hce. A report 
of the place and hour of meeting of each Post is reciuested at once. 

Bv order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
Tiios. SnKimiN, Ju., ^'''"'"^ Commander 

Assititant Adjutant- General. 



52 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 



Posts of the Department of Mass., Grand Army of the Republic. 

Roster of Officers Elected December, ISGS. 



No Poat. Commander. 

1. Wm. S. Cobb, 

2. Francis B. Smith, 

3. Alfred »I. Williams, 

4. J. S. Drayton, 

5. .J. G. B. Adams, 
C. Geo. O. Wilder, 

7. E. M. Ulianiberlin, 

8. Lewis Finney, 

9. C. H. Williams, 

10. R. E. Blake, 

11. Geo. R. Kelso, 

12. Geo. E. Tibbetts, 

13. A.B.Holmes, 

14. Oscar L. Brown, 

15. C. G. Atwond, 

16. H. M. Phillips, 

17. J. R. Davis, 

18. A. G. Forbush, 

19. Thaddeus L. Barker, 

20. A.S. Graton, 

21. John W. Fairbanks, 

22. James H. Barker, 
2:1. Geo. A. Butler, 

24. A. J. Hall, 

25. L. B. Willard, 

26. Joel Seaverns, 

27. A. B. Clark, 

28. S. A. Lawrence, 

29. G. F. Frost, 

30. W. H. Gary, 

31. Charles H. White, 

32. F. C Choate, 

33. Edwin F. Wyer, 

34. John R. Lakeman, 

35. C. A. Blanchard, 

36. Edmund Baltwood, 

37. Henry Bemis, 

38. Artemas D. Ward, 
3:1. Geo. S. Merrill, 

40. Francis A. Bicknell, 

41. Phineas Solomon, 

42. W. O. Fiske, 

43. H. J. Batchelder, 
41. Luke Lyman, 
4i. F. W. I'erkins, 

46. Edward T. Marvel, 

47. W. Frank Holt, 

48. Geo. V. Barrett, 

49. Luther Dame, 

50. James R. Browne, 

51. Chas. H. Deyo, 

52. J. VV. Allen, 

53. Wm. A. Burraae, 

54. S. C. Chamberlain, 

55. S. C. Hartwell, 
66. Lemuel Pope, 

57. Robert L. Sawin, 

58. James L. Bates, 

59. Geo. W. Rockwood, 

60. R. R. Clarke, 

61. E. P. Morton, 

62. J. Gushing Edmands, 

63. Chas. E. Gerrald, 

64. A. S. Davidson, 

65. E. H. Hamrnond, S.V.-C 

66. Godfrey Rider, Jr., 

67. Wm. A.Stone, 

68. Chas. B. Fox, 

69. Amos. B. Holden, 

70. Lewis R. Whittaker, 

71. D. E. Kingsbury, 

72. A. St. John Chambre, 

73. E. P. Reed, 



Location. 

New Bedford. 

Nantucket. 

Taunton. 

Melrose. 

Lynn, 

HoUiston, 

Boston, 

Middleboro'. 

Hudson, 

Worcester, 

Charlestown, 

Wakefield. 

No. Bridgewater, 

Hopkinton, 

Boston, 

Springfield. 

Orange, 

Ashland. 

Fitchburg, 

Pax ton. 

Westboro', 

Milford. 

East Boston, 

Grafton. 

Uxbridge. 

Boston Highlands, 

Oxford. 

West Boylston, 

Waltham. 

Cambridgeport. 

Ashburnham. 

Soutb Boston, 

Woburn. 

Salem, 

Chelsea, 

Amherst. 

Spencer, 

Brookfleld, 

Lawrence. 

No. Weymouth, 

Westfield. 

Lowell, 

Marllwro'. 

Northampton. 

Gloucester. 

Fall River, 

Haverhill, 

Groton. 

Newburyport. 

Barre. 

No. Brookfleld. 

No. Easton, 

Leominster. 

Berlin. 

Southbridge. 

Cambridge. 

East Cambridge, 

Weymouth. 

Sterling. 

Whitinsville. 

Webster. 

Newton. 

Natick, 

Clinton. 

Warren. 

Medford, 

Manchester. 

Dorchester. 

Westminster. 

Franklin. 

Holyoke. 

Stoughton. 

Abington, 



Gen. Lander Encampment. 
P. T. Wyman " 

Chas. Russell Lowell " 

Reno " 

Geo. IL Ward " 

Abraham Lincoln " 

Fletcher Webster " 
Chas. Phillips " 

John A. Andrew " 

Abraham Lincoln " 

E. V. Sumner " 

Sedgwick " 

Joseph Hooker " 

Thos. G. Stevenson " 
Geo. D. Wells 



Washington 

Phil. H. Sheridan 
Theodore Winthrop 

F. A. Stearns 
Dexter 

Lincoln 

B. F. Butler 



Richard Borden 
Major Howe 



H. B. Randall 



P. Stearns Davis 



Gen. Sedgwick 
Sam'l C Lawrence 



McPherson 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 53 



No. Post. Commander. Location. 

74. Chas. L. Rice, East Abington. 

in. W. Symington Brown, Stoneliain. 

76. Samuel H. Uoten, Plymouth. 

77. Samuel W. Armington, Hoklen. 

78. F. P. Harlow, So. Abington. 



N.B. Posts 3, 4, 20, 24, 2G, 28, 31 and 3G meet on Monday evening. 
Posts 1, 6, 7, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23, 2!), 33, 34, 39 and 41 Tuesday. Posts 
9, 13, 15, 21, 22, 2.5, 30, 32, 38 and 45 Wednesday. Posts 5, 10, 27, 42, 43, 
46, 48 and 51 Thursday. Posts 2, 8, IG, 35, 37,'40 and 44 Friday. Posts 
49 and 50 Saturday. 



Headquarteks Dept. of Mas.s., G.A.R., 
167 Tkemont Stuekt, 
General Orders) Boston, April 1, 1869. 

No. 4. i 

I. Tlie following named Comrades are announced as Aides to the 
Grand Commander : — 

Comrade A. H. Ward of Post 10. 

Chas. B. Fox of Post 68. 
" L. W. Osgood of Post 7. 
" Edward O. Shepard of Post 15. 

W. O. FiSKE of Post 42. 

II. Since the promulgation of General Orders No. 2, Post 79 has 
been organized at North Adams, Avith the choice of officers as follows : 
Commander, Wm. McKay; S. V.- Commander, C. Frank Luther; J. V.- 
Commander, Geo. L. Rice; Adjutant, Walter B. Mitchell; Quartermaster, 
Wm. F. Darby; Surgeon, II. I. INIillard; Chaplain, Rev. Miles Sanford. 

Charters have also been issued for Posts 80 at South Iladley, 81 
at Brimfield, and 82 at Marblehead. 

III. It is decided that the quarterly reports may be received as 
soon after the 1st of April as possible and may contain all facts which 
will be of assistance in completing the record of the Department. 
Blanks for the purpose will be furnished from this office. The regular 
quarterly dues, at the rate of five cents for every member borne upon 
the rolls, should be sent to Assistant Quartermaster-General W. S. 
Greenough, 116 State Street, Boston. Rituals can now be obtained from 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General for those Posts which have not 
already been supplied. 

IV. Every Post quartermaster will accompany his first requisition 
upon the Assistant Quartermaster-General, after the receipt of this 
order, and hereafter his first requisition after each new election, with 
the certificate of the Commander of the Post, that the said quarter- 
master has complied with the requirements of Section I, Article XIX., of 
the Rules and Regulations. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
Thos. Shkrwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



G.A.R.,1 

:reet, >- 
3, 1869. J 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G. 
167 Tremont Stree' 
General Orders "t Boston, May 

No. 5. i 

Tlie Grand Commander invites the attention of the comrades of 
tMs Department to General Orders No. 21, current series, from Head- 



54 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



quarters Grand Army of the Republic, calling upon the Order through- 
out the countrj- to unite, for the second time, in paying their tribute of 
affection and honor to the gallant dead, who gave their lives in defense 
of our nation. 

He knows that no words of his are needed to awaken an interest in 
the touching ceremony of strewing with Howers the resting places of 
our departed comrades. The experience of last year has shown Avith 
wliat loving zeal, not only this Order, but the community generally, join 
in this beautiful observance. 

In imitation of the wise example of his predecessor, he does not 
prescribe any uniform manner of cele])rating this occasion, but leaves 
it to each Post to adopt such ceremony as, in the light of past experience, 
may seem most suitable. 

Inasmuch as the Commander-in-Chief has designated two days, 
Saturday and Sunday, upon eitlier of which these services may take 
place, the Grand Commander hereby appoints Saturday, May 29, to be 
observed by Posts throughout this Department. Although it may be 
urged tliat Sunday Avould be a day upon which many could join in this 
ceremony more conveniently than upon any other, and that there is 
nothing incompatible Avith' the sacred character of the day in recalling 
the memory and honoring the graves of our departed friends, the Grand 
Commander feels that the inevitable accompaniments of a ceremony 
conducted on so large a scale, the moving of processions through the 
streets, the strains of martial music, the spectators croAvding the side- 
Avalks, the disturbance of churches and church-goers, and the general 
effect of a secular holiday, Avould be quite out of keeping with the usual 
peaceful Sunday of Ncav England ; and that, even if this parade should 
lead to nothing further, and furnish no precedent for less-easily-defended 
displays hereafter, it Avould shock a large portion of the community in 
which Ave live, and alienate from us many A\'hose good opinion Ave cannot 
afford to lose. 

Bv order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
T. Sherwin, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
General Orders') Boston, June 7, 18G9. 

No. G. i 

I. The Headquarters of this Department have been removed to 
No. 129 State Street, to Avhich place all communications should be ad- 
dressed. The office Avill be open, as heretofore, from 10 till 2, daily, 
Sundays excepted. 

II. Since the promulgation of General Orders No. 4 the foUoAving 
Posts have been organized : — 

Post 80, at South Iladley. Commander, Chas. L. Moody; S. V.-C, 
Dexter Burnett; J. V.-C, Joseph N. Clark; Adj't, J. A. Lyman; Q.M., 
F. D. Gleason; Serg't-Maj., Thomas White; Q.M.-Serg't, L. W. Gleason. 

Post 81, at Brimfield. Commander, Albert J. Bixljy ; S. V.-C, E 
W. Carder; J. V.-C, J. BarloAv; Adj't, B. W. Charles; Q.M., J. W. 
Leland; Serg't-Maj., L. H. Clark; Q.M.-Serg't, W. W. Earl. 

Post 82, at Marblehead. Commander, J. S. Bailey, Jr. ; S. V.-C, 
P. T. Woodfin, Jr. ; J. V.-C, F. A. Osgood ; Adj't, Knott V. Martin ; Q.M., 
Thos. R. Chapman; Surgeon, A. S. Redloe ; Chaplain, James Widdop. 

Post 83, at Hanover. Commander, Geo. B. Oldham ; S. V.-C, M. V. 
Bonney; J. V.-C, J. D. Gardner; Adj't, J. G. Knight; Q.M., M. M. Stur- 



FOUKTII ANNUAL ENOAMTJIENT. 55 



tevant; Surgeon, C. L. ToAver ; Chaplain, W. S. Sherman; Serg't-Maj., 
L. Josselyn ; Q.M.-Serg't, L Stockbridge. 

Post 84, at Maiden. Commander, N. Newhall ; S. V.-C, W. P. 
Stratton; J. V.-C, B. F. Cook; Adj't, A. M. Copp ; Q.M., C. H. Hunter; 
Snriieon, J. G. Hutchings; Chaplain, J. W. Taft; Serg't-Maj., E. 
Simonds; Q.M.-Serg't, W. H. Earl. 

Post 85, at Ware. Commander, S. B.Bond ; S.V.-C, H. M. Coney ; 
J. V.-C, I). Holden; Adj't., G. B. Canterbury; Q.M., J. W. Cumniings; 
Serg't-Maj., G. A. Green; Q.M.-Serg't, Geo. Marsh. 

Post 8(5, at Assabet. Commander, D. G. Hemenway ; S. V.-C, 
John Fuller; J. V.-C, J. H. Percival; Adj't, C E. McQuillan; Q.M., J. 
H.Allen; Chaplain, Joseph Adams; Serg't-Maj., Geo. Bocock; Q.M.- 
Serg't, S. P. Morris. 

Post 87, at Braintree. Commander, J. T. Stevens; S. V.-C, J. T. 
Bestick; J. V.-C, G. I). Willis; Adj't, F. W. Holbrook ; Q.M., J. E. 
Holbrook ; Surgeon, R. P. Bestick; Chaplain, L. M. Thayer; Serg't- 
Maj., M. A. Perkins; Q.M.-Serg't, J. II. Carmichael. 

III. It -will be observed that the blanks for Traveling Cards. have 
been altered, by an endorsement on the back, specifying the time for 
which the card is issued. By the advice of the Council of Administra- 
tion it is ordered that no transfer card be issued for a longer period 
than one year. 

IV. Post Commanders are requested to send to these Head- 
quarters full reports of the proceedings on Conunemoration Day, in 
their respective tOMus and in other places in the vicinity where the ser- 
vices -were participated in by detachments or comrades from their Posts. 
Written reports, programmes, or newspaper notices, are desired, as 
serving to complete the history of the day. 

V. Notice has been received from Headquarters, Grand Army of 
the Republic, of the appointment of C G. Attwood, late Commander of 
Post 1.5, Dept. of Mass., as Assistant Inspector-General upon the Staff 
of the Commander-in-Chief, assigned to duty in this Department. 

VI. Comrade Andrew Wilson of Post 57 has been appointed Act- 
ing Assistant Inspector-General of this Department, vice Comrade Geo. 
H. Long, resigned. 

VIII. Information is wanted of Joseph B. Kingsley, who enlisted 
in Co. G, 20th Mass. Infantry, in 18fil, and was said to have been dis- 
charged October, 18G2. He was in hospital at Poolsville, Md., at that 
time, since Avhich he has not been heard from by his family, but is sup- 
posed to have entered service in the Veteran Reserve Corps. Any com- 
rade having information of this man subsequent to the date above 
named is requested to transmit the same through the Headquarters of 
his Post. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
T. SiiKKWiN, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



r. OF Mass., G.A.R., "j 
129 Statk Stkket, > 
)sroN, June 21, ISfiO.J 



Headquautkhs Dept. of Mass. 
U 
General Orders! Bosi 

No. 7. / 

I. The regular meeting of the Department will be held at 11 
o'clock A. INI., on Wednesday, July 21, at 154 Tremont Street, Boston, in 
the upper hall. 



56 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Each Post will be entitled to representation, based upon the num- 
ber of its members, as established by Article XVII., Section 1, Rules and 
Regulations of 1868. The credentials of delegates will be made in dupli- 
cate and signed by the retiring Post commander and adjutant; one copy 
to be forwarded to these Headquarters within one Aveek after the elec- 
tion, the other to be presented to the Assistant Adjutant-General on the 
assembling of the Department. 

II. The reports for the second quarter of the current year will be 
due on the 1st of July. The roster of officers should give the names of 
those newly elected, and the reports should be signed by the retiring 
commander, adjutant and qnartermaster. The Grand Commander re- 
quests that there be no delay in transmitting the reports, as the report 
required by the Commander-in-Chief, from this Department, cannot be 
rendered in season without promptness on the part of Post commanders. 

It is believed that the Posts organized previous to April 1st are 
already supplied with blank forms for quarterly reports. They will be 
furnished, on requisition, to such Posts as are not supplied. 

The quarterly dues, at the rate of five cents for every member 
borne upon the rolls, as fixed by Article VI., Department By-Laws, should 
be sent to Asst. Q.M.-Gen. W. S. Greenough, IK! State Street. 

The following is a portion of General Order No. 3, from Head- 
quarters Grand Army of the Republic, dated June 8, 1809 : — 

" Posts in arrears for dues at the time of the July meetings of the 
Departments will not be furnished Avith the revised Ritnal, nor will 
they be instructed in the new work, until such dues are paid." 

" Any Post in arrears for returns or dnes shall be excluded from 
all representation in Department Encampment until the same are for- 
warded." 

III. Post 88, at Quincy, was organized on the 10th inst. by Asst. 
Inspector-General Moulton, with a choice of officers as follows: Com- 
mander, W.G. Sheen; S.V.-C, W. II. H. Rideout; J.V.-C.,W. II. Follet; 
Adjt., D. F. French; Q.M., II. Lunt ; Sergt.-Maj., J. F. Pratt; Q.M.- 
Sergt., J. W. Moore. Encampment title, " Paul Revere." 

IV. Commanders Avho have not already complied Avith Paragraph 
4, General Orders No. G, requiring reports of the ceremonies on Com- 
memoration Day, are requested to do so at once. 

V. It having come to the knowledge of the Grand Commander 
that in some instances comrades liaA'e neglected to procure transfer 
cards on relinquishing their membership in one Post to join another, it 
is hereby ordered that comrades so situated at once apply for transfer 
cards, Avhich shall be shoAvn to the adjutant of the Post in Avhich the 
comrade has last gained membership, for record. 

Post commanders Avill be held responsible for the execution of this 
order, and comrades failing to comply Avill be suspended from the 
privileges of membership until they have done so. 

VI. Notice has been received of the intention to propose to the 
Department, at the July meeting, an amendment to Article VI. of the 
By-LaAvs, increasing the rate of Department dues. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
T. SiiERWiN, Jr., Grand Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Errata. — General Orders No. C, current series, should read : " Post 
82, ... . Q.M., C. K. BroAvn; Surgeon, T. R. Chapman." Same order, 
Paragraph 3, " transfer card" should read " traveling card." 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAIMPiMENT. 57 



)F Mass., G.A.R., ^ 

Staii', Stkkkt, >■ 

iTON, July 7, 18G9. J 



ITeadquauteus Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
129 
Genkual Orders"! Bosi 

No. 8. / 

For the purpose of putting into operation the system of grades 
established by the National Encampment on tlie 13th day of May last, 
the Commander directs as follows: — 

I. The Inspector and all other ofticers of the Department Encamp- 
ment, all Assistant Inspectors, and the Start' ofhcers of the Commander, 
will assemble at Headquarters, 129 State Street, Boston, on the 15th day 
of July current, at 12 o'clock m., and will be then and there advanced to 
the second and third grades and instructed in the Ritual of the three 
grades. 

II. Assistant Inspectors, acting as Special Deputies of the Com- 
mander for this purpose, will assemble the oHicers of Posts in good 
standing in their respective districts, at some convenient place therein, 
upon a day between the 22d and 31st of July current, and will at such 
time and p^ace advance such odicers to the second and third grades 
and instruct them in the Ritual of the three grades. 

III. At the first stated meeting of each Post after the above 
ordered meeting of Post officers, the Post commander Avill commence to 
advance to the second and third grades such eligible comrades as may 
desire it, and will at that and all future meetings adopt and follow the 
Ritual and Rules and Regulations established by the National Encamp- 
ment on the 13th day of May last. 

IV. Special attention is Invited to the resolutions adopted by the 
said National Encampment, promulgated in General Orders No. 3, from 
Grand Army Headquarters. Assistant Inspectors will be furnished 
with lists of any Posts which may be in arrears for returns or dues, 
with instructions not to communicate to them the Ritual, signs, or pass- 
words, except upon special orders from these Headquarters. 

By order of 
T. Sherwin, Jr., FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 

Assistant Adjutant- General. Gra)id Commander, 



IIeadquarticrs Dei't. of Mass., G.A.R., 
167 TuioioNT Street, 
General Orders! Boston, Sept. 13, 18G9. 

No. 9. i 

I. The July meeting of the Department was held in Boston, July 
21, Commander Francis A. Osborn presiding. Two hundred and seventy- 
three delegates were present, representing 80 Posts. Prayer was ottered 
by the Department Chaplain. After the meeting had been organized, on 
invitation of Commander Nettleton, the Department partook of a colla- 
tion, provided by Post 15. The reports of the Assistant Adjutant-General, 
Assistant Quartermaster-General and the Auditing Committee Avere read, 
showing the 

Membership in Massachusetts to be 9,233 

The number of I'osts 103 

The number of deaths 6 

The gain during six months 3,044 

The receipts $1,895.81 

The expenses 1,007.51 

Balance on hanil 288.28 



58 EARLY IIISTOKY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



It was voted that Article VI., Department By-Laws, be amended 
by striking out 20 and substituting 32 cents per member as the yearly 
department dues. 

It was voted that no substitute shall be admitted to tlie Depart- 
ment Conventions of this Department, unless said substitute shall have 
been dulj' elected ami certified to at the same time and in the same man- 
ner as the regular delegates. 

It was voted that the next meeting of the Department shall be 
held at New Bedford. 

A resolution, providing that the decorating of soldiers' graves 
should be the care of the Post or Posts established in the town or city 
where the cemetery is located, was, by vote of the meeting, referred to 
the Council of Administration, with instructions to report at the next 
meeting. 

A resolution, recommending the change of Decoration Day to a 
later date, was also referred to the Council of Administration, with in- 
structions to correspond with the other Departments and the National 
Headquarters, and report at the next meeting. 

The question of adopting a badge was also referred to the Council 
of Administration. 

Resolutions of thanks Avere passed to the officers of the Boston & 
Albany, Old Colony & Newport and New Bedford & Taunton railroads, 
for their courtesy in giving return tickets ; and to Post 15 for the hospi- 
tality extended by that Post to the Convention. 

II. Attention of Posts is called to Chapter I., Article III., Para- 
graph 1, Revised Rules and Regulations, adopted at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
May 12 and 13, ISfiO, which provided that " any Posts may prefix the 
name of a deceased soldier or sailor, Avho died in the service of our 
country during the late Rebellion, or of some other person eminent dur- 
ing the war for loyalty and efficiency; provided, that no more than one 
Post in a Department adopt the same name." 

As it appears from records that several Posts in this Department 
bear the same title or name, the Commander suggests that the Post 
which earliest adopted a name have the privilege of retaining it, unless 
that privilege be conceded by a vote of the Post in favor of some other 
Post, and that the retention or surrender of a title be determined by 
correspondence ]>etween the Posts interested, and that the result thereof 
be made known to these Headquarters. 

********* 

IV. Inasmuch as a large number of the comrades of this Depart- 
ment have been unable, from various causes, to present themselves for 
advancement to the second and third grades, prior to the third day of 
September current, the day fixed as a limit by the National Convention, 
it is hereby ordeied that all such comrades who apply to take the obliga- 
tions of these grades prior to October l^it proximo shall be deemed and 
taken to have desired to take these obligations prior to September 1st 
and to have been by some good and valid reason debarred therefrom, 
for which they ought not to be deprived of tbeir lawful rights, and that 
they shall be advanced accordingly. 

The following comrades are announced as Assistant Inspectors of 
the Department, and will be I'espected accordingly : — 
John G. McCarter of Milford. George A. Fisher of Salem. 

J. L. Wilber of New Bedford. Wm. II. Lawrence of East Boston. 

Chas. R. Garlick of Pittsfield. C. W. C. Rhoades of Boston Highlands. 

J. L. Skinner of Amherst. Andrew Wilson of Cambridge. 

Dana K. Fitch of Worcester. George S. Merrill of Lawrence. 

T. L. Barker of Fitchburg. F. C. Blanchard of No. Bridgewater. 

C. H. Cleveland of Worcester. Charles M. Newton of Brookfield. 

J. W.Holmes of Springfield. Francis B. Smith of Nantucket. 

Elliot C. Pierce of Weymouth. 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



r)9 



V. Appended will be found :i list of the Posts of this Department, 
with the names of Post commanders, location and title. Any change of 
Post commanders will be promi)tl.v reported to these Headquarters. A 
report of the day of week and place of meeting of each Post is requested. 

By command of 

FUANCIS A. OSBORN, 
Thomas Siikrwin, Commander. 

Assistant Adjiitant-Gencrnl . 



lioster of Post Commnnderx, .Tnhj 7, ISOO. 



Post. Commanilcr. 

1. John H. .Alackie, 

2. Wm. Suiniiierliays, 

3. Hairie A. Cu.-ihiiian, 

4. D. H. Walker, 

5. Chas. D. Mollis, 
C. Geo. O. Wildei-, 

7. C. F. Uii.scoll, 

8. Clias. A. Howes, 

9. A. S. Trowbridge, 
10. Geo. F. Tlionipson, 
U. Thos. H. Haskell, 
12. John M. (ale, 

\i. Geo. W. Leach, 

14. A. L. Mailden, 

1). E. I'. Nettleton, 

K). H. M. Phillips, 

ir. Kuliis Livenuore, 

]■<. A. G. Forhush, 

lit. T. L. P.aiker, 

2it. A. S. Graton, 

'21. ArUiiir G. IJriscoe, 

22. Will. Kinery, 

23. William A. West, 

24. G. F. Jourdan, 
2.). A. J. Searles, 

26. Joel Seaverns, 

27. A.B.Clarke, 

28. Chas. C. Murdoek, 

29. G. F. Frost, 

30. Chas. O. Brighaiii, 

31. Harrison C. Chenev, 

32. Francis i'. Choate, 
a3. Albert P. P>ariett, 
34. Chas. H. Clinse, 

Zn. Clifton A. I'.lanchird, 

.% Edmund Baltw.iod, 

37. Edward Towii^ciiil, 

38. Artemas I>. Ward, 

39. James B. WiUks, 

40. F. A. Bicknell, 

41. v.. B. Smith. 

42. James F. Huntington, 
4.'J. J. L. Stone, 

44. Josei)h B. Parsons, 

4"). Renj. E. .Millward, 

40. E. T. Marvell, 

47. Ilenrv T. Fitt-s, 

48. Geo. V. Barrett, 
4>. Fred I). P.urnliani, 

50. Plinev 11. Baliliitt, 

51. Nath'i IL Foster, 
h'L Thomas Bean, 

53. F. W. Pol ley, 

54. Frederick Miller, 
5.5. A. II. Wheeler, 

56. J. S. Wiiikley, 

57. R. L. Sawin, 
.5S. James L. Bates, 
59. James \. Pratt, 
CO. R. II. Clark, 



Location. 
New Bedford, 
Nantucket, 
Taunton, 
Melrose. 
Lynn, 
HoUiston, 
Boston, 

Middleboro'. • 
Hudson, 
Worcester, 
Charlestown, 
Wakefield. 
North Bridgewatei, 
Hopkintou, 
Boston, 
Springfield, 
Grange, 
Ashland. 
Fitchburg, 
Paxton. 
Westboro', 
Milford, 
East Boston, 
Grafton, 
Uxbridge, 
Boston Highlands, 
Oxford. 
W^est Boylston, 
Waltham. 
Cand)ridgeport, 
Ashburnham, 
South Boston, 
Wobnrn. 
Salem, 
Chelsea, 
Amherst. 
Spencer, 
Brooklield, 
Lawrence, 
North Weymouth, 
Westfield. 
Lowell, 
Marlboro', 
Northampton, 
(rloucester. 
Fall River 
Haverhill, 
Groton Junction, 
Newburvport, 
Barre, 

North Brooktield. 
Nortli Easton, 
Leominster, 
Berlin, 
Southbridgc. 
Cambridge, 
East Cambridge, 
Weymouth, 
Sterling. 
Whitinsville, 



Title. 
Wm. Logan Kodnian. 
Sherburne. 
Wm. 11. Bartlett. 

Gen. Lander. 
Powell T. Wyman. 
Chas. Russell Lowell. 

Reno. 

Geo. IL Ward. 

Abraham Lincoln. 

Fletcher Wel)Ster. 
Lt. Chas. Phillii)s. 
John A. Andrew. 
E. K. Wilcox. 
Abraham Lincoln. 

E. V. Sumner. 

John Sedgwick. 
Major iZ. F. Fletcher. 
Joseph Hooker, 
fien. A. B. R. Sprague. 
Chas. I>even8. 
Thos. G. Stevenson. 

Geo. D. Wells. 

Wm. H. Smart. 
J. L. Reno. 

Washington. 

Phil. H. Sheridan. 
Theodore WinHirop. 

F. A. Stearns. 
Dexter. 
Needhain. 
I>in<'oln. 

P.. F. Butler. 

Lincoln. 

J. Sedgwick. 

Richard Borden. 
Major Howe. 
Geo. S. Boutwell. 
Geo. S. Boutwell. 
J. B. Plumnier. 

H. B. Randall, 
('has. H. Stevens. 
John B. Gough. 

('has. Beck. 

P. Stearns Davis. 

Reynolds. 

Jesse L. Reno. 



60 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Post. Commander. 

61. Sam'l B. ChiUls, 

6'2. A. B. Underwood, 

63. Geo. K. Franklin, 

64. Lucius Field, 
6."). F. H. Moore, 

66. Pearl Martin, 

67. Edwin P. Stanley, 

68. Chas. B. Fox, 

69. Ethan W. Holden, 

70. Lewis R. Whitaker, 

71. Justin E. Brown. 

7'2. A. St. John Cliambre, 

73. J. Willard Brown, 

74. J. B. Studlev, 
7.'>. E. B. Fairchild, 

76. S. H. Doten, 

77. Emory Rogers, 

78. J. R. Whitcomb, 

79. Win. McKay, 

80. Chas. L. Moody, 

81. Albert J. Bixby, 

82. Knott V. Martin, 
S."?. Geo. B. Oldham, 

84. Wni. F. Stratton, 

85. H. M. Coney, 

8C. L). G. Hemenway, 

87. J. T. Stevens, 

88. Wm. G. Sheen, 

89. Francis E. Porter, 

90. Dan'l J. Preston, 

91. Edwin P. Jewett, 

92. Joshua A. Loomis, 

93. Josiah A. Richmond, 

94. Jacob Silloway, Jr., 

95. Chas. A. Newhall, 

96. Asa B. Fay, 

97. Charles A. Mayers, 

98. Jacob L. Green, 

99. Wm. 11. Eveleth, 

100. Thos. F. Ellsworth, 

101. N. E. Ladd, 

102. Geo. A. Monroe, 

103. Wm. Spittle, 

104. Hawkes Fearing, 

105. D. A. Partridge, 

106. Thos. F. Parsons, Jr., 

107. Lyman Woodward, 

108. CiiauDcey O. Noyes, 



Location. 
Webster. 
Newton, 
Natick, 
Clinton. 
Warren. 
Medlord, 
iManchester. 
Dorchester, 
Westminster, 
Franklin. 
Holyoke. 
Stoughton. 
Abington, 
East Abington. 
Stoneham. 
Plymouth. 
Holden. 

South Abington, 
North Adams. 
South Hadley. 
Brimfield. 
Marblehead, 
Hanover. 
Maiden, 
Ware. 
Assabet, 
Braintree. 
Quincy. 
Beverly. 
Danvers. 
Foxboro'. 
Easthampton. 
Shelburne Falls, 
Canton. 
Saugus. 
Northboro'. 
Auburn, 
Pittsfleld. 
Princeton. 
Ipswich. 
Grovel and. 
Billerica. 
Chicopee. 
Hingham, 
West ^ledway. 
Rockport. 
Hubbardston. 
Georgetown; 



Charles Ward. 
Gen. Sedgwick. 

Sam'l C. Lawrence. 

Benj. Stone, Jr. 
Rice. 



McPherson. 

David A. RusscU. 

John Goodwin. 
John G. Foster. 
Henry Wilson. 

Osro Miller. 
John A. Logan. 

Edwin Humphrey. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,^ 
129 State Street, >■ 
Boston, Sept. U, 1869. J 
Circular. 

The foUowinc: communication from National Headquarters is pro- 
mulgated for the information of Posts. Commanders are requested to 
return the blanks as promptly as possible to these Headquarters, with 
the other information called for. 



EPUBLIC. ") 

F St., [ 
. 1, 1869. J 



Hkadquarters Grand Army of the Republic. 
Inspector-General's Office, 411 F 
Washington, Sept. 
Circular No. 4. 

Commander of the Department of JIassachnsetts, G.A.B. 

Comrades : In compliance with the recommendation of the Com- 
mittee appointed by the last National Encampment to examine into the 
practicability of connecting a plan of co-operative life insurance with 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 01 



the Grand Army of the Republic, the Acting Inspector-General has been 
directed by the Commander-in-Chief to transmit to you the annexed 
Form X, for distribution in all Posts within your Department. 

The wishes of the majority of the C!ouncil of Administration in 
regard to the calling of a special meeting of the National Encampment 
are not yet known to these Ileadtiuarters ; but judging from communi- 
cations now in hand there will be a very large majority in favor of .such 
call; and as the meeting of the Council of Administration will be held on 
the first AVednesday in October (Otli), and the blanks forAvarded to you 
Avill furnish much valuable information for the said Council as well as 
for these IIead(iuarters, even in case that the National Encampment 
should not be called you are requested to instruct all the Posts witliin 
your Department to return the blanks, signed or unsigned, according to 
their wishes, on or before the 3d of October, to these Headquarters. 

You will supply each Post with at least one blank form ; and if such 
should not be sullicient for the number of applicants, the deficiency may 
be supplied l)y blank sheets of paper attached to the form. 

You will also instruct Post commanders to state the number of 
members in good standing who have not signed the list. 

The greatest promptness in returning these blanks is desired. 
Very respectfullv yours, in F., C. and L , 

(Signed) E. J. W. FAEHTZ, 

Acting Inspector-General. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSP.ORN, 
Thomas Shkkwin, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ss., G.A.R.,1 
E Street, >- 
ipt. 25, 1S69. J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass. 
129 State 
General ( )ri)eks "I Bostox, Sept. 

No. 10. i 

I. In promulgating General Order No. 5 and Circular No. 2, from 
National Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, the Department 
Commander takes occasion to call the attention of commanders and 
officers of Posts to the necessity of following strictly the instructions 
therein contained in reference to the rendering of reports and payment 
of dues. Duplicate blanks are hercAvith furnished, of Forms A and B 
and V, and reports and dues will be forwarded, on or before the 10th 
October, as follows : — 

1. Post Commander's Report, Form A (Chapter V., Article II., 
Section 1, Rules and Regulations), to the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

2. Post Quartermaster's Report, Form B (Chapter V., Article II., 
Section 1, Rules and Regulations), to Asst. Q.M.-Gen. W. S. Greenough, 
116 State Street, Boston. 

3. Post Surgeon's Report, Form F (Chapter III., Article VI., 
Section 7, Rules and Regulations), to the Medical Director, Dr. Samuel 
A. Green, 120 State Street, Boston. 

4. Report of Applicants Rejected since the Post has been working 
under the new Rules and Regulations (Chapter V., Article II., Section 
1, Rules and Regulations). The name, rank, i-egimeut or ship, and date 
of rejection should be given. 

5. The quarterly dues, of eight cents for every member of the 
Post in good standing (Chapter V., Article III., Section 2, Rules and 



62 EARLY HISTOUY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Resrulatious, and Article "VI., Deviartment r5y-Laws, ameuded by Depart- 
ment in Convention to read " 32 cents " per annum for every comrade 
■\vlio has been advanced to the " Veteran Grade "). 

C. The fee of ten cents, tixed by Chapter V., Article III., Section 
4, Rules and Renulations. 

This amount, as "well as the quarterly dues, Avill, for convenience, 
be forwarded direct to the Assistant Quartermaster-General at IIG State 
Street, Boston. 

Tost Commanders will observe that Circular No. 2, Paragraph 2, 
calls for the return of Form X on October 10. These rolls "will be 
sent in, "whether subscribers shall have sij::ned or not. 

They are also reciuested to report, "without delay, whether their 
quartermasters have .i:;iven bonds, in compliance with the revised Rules 
and Regulations ; if not, the reason therefor. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
Thomas Sheuwix. Commander. 

Assii-tant Adjutant-Goieral. 

N.B. The heading of General Order No. 9 is incorrect. The Head- 
quarters of this Department are still at 12'.) State Street, Boston. 



Hkadquakteks Dki't. ok Mass., G.A.R., 



RVT. OK AIass., G.A.R.,"! 

12i» State Stheet, J- 

BoSTOX, Nov. 10, 18(59. J 



Gexeral (^)i;i)ki:s 1 

No. II. f 

I. The following resolution, adopted ])y the National Encampment 
in Convention at New York, Octol)er 27 and 2S, and promulgated in Gen- 
eral Orders No. G, from National lleadipiarters G.A.H., is hereby pub- 
lished, that it may be brought to the attention of all whose status in the 
Grand .\rmy is affected by its provisions : — 

" liesolrcd. That in order to perfect the operation of the system of 
grades adopted at the last annual meeting of the National Encampment, 

" 1. That the 1st, 2d ami od paragraphs of the resolutions adopted 
at the said Encampment, found on pages ol and 32 of the printed Pro- 
ceedings, be stricken out, and the following substituted in lieu thereof: 
That all comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, made such under 
the old organization prior to the first day of November, 18G9, and not in 
violation of the qualilications prescril)ed by Article IV., Chapter I., Re- 
vised Rules and Regulations, shall be eligible to the third grade of the 
present organization upon taking the several obligations : J'rvrkhd, they 
shall be in good standing in their several Posts and Departments and 
free from all dues at the time of their application; and provid(d, 
further, that all comrades and Posts of the organization who, having 
had the opportunity, shall willfully neglect or refuse to make application 
for membership under the new organization on or before the 31st day of 
December, 18G9, shall be deprived of the privileges accorded by this 
resolution ; and pmrided, also, that all other comrades or Posts not last 
above described shall make application for membership under tlie new 
organization on or before the next regular meeting of the National En- 
campment. 

" 2. That the phrase, ' in the form prescribed in the Ritual,' occur- 
ring in the fourth line, Paragraph G, of said resolution, be stricken out." 

The adoption of this resolution eua])les those comrades under the 
old regulations Avho have been unable to present themselves at a stated 
meeting of their Posts for advancement to the new grades, to take 



FOURTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 63 



those grades at any time, and -witli the same privileges which have here- 
tofore been accorded to old members; provided, that they shall, on or 
before the olst day of December, have filed an application for mend)er- 
shij) under the new organization witli the adjutant of the I'ost. Post 
commanders are reiiuestcd to send a copy of this order, with a l)lank 
application for membersliip, to every comrade who lias not yet taken the 
new obligations; and comrades are urged not to neglect this opportunity 
of securing their right of adnussion as old members by simply filling up 
and returning the blanks furnished them. 

II. To enable Post surgeons to make the returns required by the 
Medical Director, it is directed that Post descriptive books be so amended 
as to show, in the case of tlie comrades who have been wounded or 
lost limbs while in the service, the jiaiticulars of such injury. 

III. Comrade S. Ilovey, Jr., has been appointed Acting Assistant 
Adjutant-General of this Department. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBOKN, 
Thomas SiiEinvix, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
General Orders ) Boston, Jan. G, 1870. 

No. 12. / 

I. The annual meeting of the Department Encampment will be 
held at Pierian Hall, New Bedford, at 11 o'clock a.m., on Wednesday, 
the l!)th inst. The Encampment will be constituted in accordance Avith 
Paragraphs 1, 2 and :i, Article II., Chapter III., Rules and Regulations. 
Posts will be entitled to representation in the ratio, of one delegate for 
every fifty members (that is, those Avho have taken the obligations of 
the first or " Recruit " grade;, Avith one additional delegate for a final 
fraction of more than half that number. 

The attention of Post commanders is particularly called to the re- 
cjuirements of the third section of the chapter and article above mentioned, 
in relation to reports, dues and credentials, a strict compliance Avith 
Avhich is re<iuisite for the admission of the delegates to seats in the 
Encampment. 

To avoid any misunderstanding on the subject, the folloAving vote 
of the July Convention is republished : — 

''Voted, That no substitute shall be admitted to the Department 
Conventions of this Department, unless said substitute shall have been 
duly elected and certified to at the same time and in the same manner as 
the regular delegates." 

II. In addition to the election of Department oHicers and other 
regular business, reports Avill be made by the Council of Administration 
upon the questions of the restrictions of Posts, on Decoration Day, to 
the limits of their respective toAvns or cities ; of recommending a change 
of date for Decoration Day; and of adopting a badge: Avhich Avere re- 
ferred to the Council by the last Convention. A proposition forAvarded 
to these Ileadipiarters, from a Post of this Department, for dispensing 
Avith certain of the grades prescribed by the Rules and Regulations, Avill 
also be laid before the Kncampment. 

III. Tlie i|uartcrly dues Avill be at the rate of eight cents for each 
member borne u|)(m the rolls, in accordance Avith the vote of the Depart- 
ment at the July meeting. The (juarterly and veteran dues Avill be for- 
warded, Avith the reports of Post Quartermasters, to Asst. Q.M.-Gen. 
Win. S. Greenough, IIG Slate Street, Boston. 



64 EARLY HISTOUY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



IV. The reports prescribed by Sections 1 and 4, Article II., 
Chapter V., and Section 2, Article VI., Chapter III., will be forAvarded 
to these Headquarters on or before the 10th iust. Blanlts for Post 
commanders', quartermasters' and surgeons' reports can be obtained by 
requisition upon the Assistant Quartermaster-General. 

V. Auy comrade having l^nowledge of the place and date of the 
death of Stephen H. Caverly, Co. A, 1st Mass. Cavalry, is requested to 
send iuformation of the same to these Headquarters, through the com- 
mander of his Post. Caverly was captured by the Rebels May 10, 18C4, 
and last heard from at Richmond, Va., June 15, 1804. 

VI. On the nomination of the Inspector of the Department, Com- 
rade Frederick Grant has been appointed Assistant Inspector and will be 
respected accordingly. 

VII. Free return tickets over the Boston & Providence and Taun- 
ton & New Bedford Railroads will be furnished by the Assistant 
Quai-termaster-General, during the Convention, to those comrades who 
go to New Bedford by the above-named routes. 

By order of 

FRANCIS A. OSBORN, 
Thomas Siikkwin, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 




JAMES L BATES, 

1870. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT LOWELL, 
1871. 



The Encampment of 1871, terminating the Administra- 
tion of Department Commander Bates, was held in Lowell, on 
the 18th of January, in accordance with General Orders No. 9, 
Series of 1870. No official record of this Encampment appears 
to exist, and recourse has been had, as in the case of the Encamp- 
ment of 1868, to the newspaper files. Following are extracts 
from the Lowell Daily Courier : — 

' ' We judge from the appearance of several hundred good- 
looking gentlemen congregated in Mechanics' Hall, that there is a 
convention of the Department of Massachusetts, of the Grand 
Army af the Republic, though no reporters are allowed inside. 
The Convention was called to order at eleven o'clock, and a 
committee on credentials was appointed, which was occupied in 
examining the certificates of delegates the remainder of the fore- 
noon. Meantime there was a busy caucusing among the delegates 
for the several candidates for offices, the scene reminding one of 
a Worcester convention. 

'' The lady friends of the members of Post 42 of this city had 
spread long tables in Jackson Hall, with an abundant collation, to 
which the members of the Convention were invited after the ad- 
journment for a recess. We shall give the results of the Con- 
vention tomon-ow." 

" The number of delegates in attendance at the Convention in 
this city yesterday was 229 . The following officers were chosen for 
the ensuing year : Commander, AVilliam Cogswell of Salem ; Senior 
Vice-Commander, AVilliam Spaulding of Charlestown ; Junior Vice- 
Commander, S. E. Chamberlain of Cambridge ; Medical Director, 



65 



66 EARLY JIISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

A. R. Rice of Springfield; Chaplain, Miles Sanford of North 
Adams ; Council of Administration : Henry R. Sibley of Charles- 
town, William O. Fiske of Lowell, J. P. Drury of Chelsea, 
J. A. Titus of Worcester, W. S. Cobb of New Bedford. 

" Ten delegates and substitutes were chosen to the National 
Convention which meets at Boston. 

" We understand that the collation given by the lady friends 
of Post 42 at Jackson Hall at one o'clock yesterday was most 
creditable to them, and was highly appreciated by their guests ; 
but as it was partaken of under a countersign and guard, we are 
unable to speak of the manner in which the visitors to our city 
were treated except from hearsay. Several of the delegates whom 
we met spoke enthusiastically of the affair. The levee given in 
the evening at French's Hall was open to all who had tickets, and 
was apparently much enjoyed by those who remained in town over 
night. 

" We don't know how much of the operations of the year are 
secret, but we should think the wider they are published the better. 
We find the following facts in the Boston papers : The repre- 
sentation is in the ratio of one delegate for every fifty members, 
with one additional member for a fraction of more than half 
that number; each Post, however, whatever its number, having 
at least one delegate. The number of Posts in the Department 
at present is 142, an increase of twenty-five during the past 
year. The number of deaths has been seventy-three. The amount 
of charity disbursed amounts appi'oximately to the goodly sum of 
$40,000.00. Seventeen hundred and twenty- three persons and 
families have had assistance, of which number 467, or about 
twenty-five per cent, were members of the Order. The organi- 
zation is generally in a very thriving condition, and was never 
better. Over 3,000 members have been admitted during the past 
year." 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



67 



GENERAL ORDERS. 
Series of 1870. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R 
129 State Street 
Boston, Jan. 22 



t.A.R.,1 

EET, l 

, 1870. j 



General Orders) 
No. 1. i 

I. The undersigned having been duly elected Commander of this 
Department, hereby assumes command, Avith Headtjuarters at Boston. 

II. Comrade S. Hovey, Jr., is hereby appointed Assistant Adjutant- 
General, and, having accepted the office, will be respected and obeyed 
accordingly. All communications connected with the Adjutant or 
Quartermaster-General's departments Avill be addressed to him. 

III. The announcement of the Staff will be made hereafter. 

JAMES L. BATES, 

Commander. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R 
366 Washington Street, Roo:m 4 
Boston, March 1, 18 



General Orders \ 

No. 2. ]■ 

I. The following-named Department officers are announced 
having been duly elected and appointed for the ensuing year : — 



70. j 



James L. Bates, 
H. M. Phillips, 
W. O. Fiske, 
Samuel A. Green, 
Rev. Horace James, 
Wm. S. Cobb, 
Henry R. Sibley, 
Luke Lvman, 
J. W. Kimball, 
J. E. Hollis, 
Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 
Chas. B. Fox, 
Geo. S. Merrill, 
S. E. Chaml)erlain, 
C. C. Emery, 
A. B. Underwood, 
E. M. Chamberlin, 
Henry A. Willis, 
Wni. T. Grammar, 
Wilmou AV. Blackmar, 



elected. 
AYeymouth, 
Springfield, 
Lowell, 
Boston, 
Lowell, 
New Bedford, 
Charlestown, 
Northampton, 
Fitch])urg, 
Boston, 
New Bedford, 
Worcester, 
Dorchester, 
LaAvrence, 
Cambridge, 
Boston Highlands, 
Newton, 
Boston, 
Fitchburg, 
Woburn, 
Boston, 



Commander. 

Senior Vice-Commander. 

Junior " " 

Medical Director. 

Chaplain. 

Council of Administration. 



Delegate to Nat. Encampment. 
" at Large to Nat. Enc. 

" to Nat. Encampment. 



68 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



APPOINTED. 

S. Hovey, Jr., Boston, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Wm. S. Greenough, East Boston, Quartermaster-General, 

li. B. Peirce, Abingtou, ' Department Inspector. 

E. 0. Shepard, Boston, Judge Advocate. 

E. C. Pierce, AVe5'mouth, Aide. 
L. B. Hiscock, Boston Highlands, " 
Francis B. Pratt, Weymouth, " 
Wni. Spaulding, Charlestown, " 

S. K. Williams, Jr., Cambridge, Assistant Inspector. 

Geo. V. Barrett, Groton Junction, " " 

Geo. S. Merrill, Lawrence, " " 

C. T. Bailey, AVeymouth, " " 

H. A. Brown, Northampton, " " 

J. L. Wilber, New Bedford, " " 

F. B. Smith, Nantucket, " '« 
A. H. Ward, Worcester, " " 
F. Grant, Salem, " " 
Wm. McKay, North Adams, " " 
E. I). Capron, Springfield, " " 
Geo. R. Kelso, Charlestown, " " 
Chas. H. Porter, Quincy, " " 
E. Cottle, Randolpli, " '« 
Geo. E. Goodrich, Fitchburg, " " 
Paran C. II. Belcher, Milford, 

II. Existing orders will remain in force until further notice. 

III. To insure immediate attention, all communications addressed 
to these Head(|uarters should be written upon letter sheet, folded in 
three equal folds, and upon the first or upper fold endorsed as follows : — 

Headquarters Post No. G.A.R. 

Name of town 

Date 

Name of writer 

Rank in Post 

The envelope should be addressed to Col. S. Ilovey, Jr., No. 3G6 
Washington Street, Boston. Post Commanders are earnestly requested 
to inspect carefully all reports before forwarding, ascertaining by a 
close examination that all the blank spaces are properly filled and that 
they are correct and complete in every respect. The expense for obtain- 
ing corrected reports for the fourth quarter, 18(59, has exceeded one 
hundred dollars. This is unnecessary, and can be avoided in future if 
Post officers will comply with all the above directions. 

IV. Requisitions should be addressed to Maj. Wm. S. Greenough, 
Asst. Q.M.-Gen., at this office, Avhere all books and blanks may be 
obtained. By ordering sufficient supplies to last one year, expense will 
be saved by Posts and much labor by the Assistant Quartermaster- 
General. It should appear upon requisitions whether the supplies are to 
be sent by mail or express; if the latter, give the name and address of 
the Boston ofilce. 

V. Assistant Inspectors are hereby instructed to proceed at once 
with the quarterly inspection. Commanders are hereby directed to have 
their Post books, retained copies of all reports, etc., etc., in readiness 
for a thorough inspection. The Assistant Adjutant-General will be glad, 
at all times, to give information upon any subject not fully understood 
relating to Reports, Ritual, or Rules and Regulations. 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



G9 



VI. Circular No. 2, Headquarters G.A.R., containing an engraving 
and description of tlie new badge adopted by the National Council of 
Administration, will be forAvarded to Post Commanders, avIio are 
reiinested to send to Asst. Q.M.-Gen. Creenongh a re<iuisition for the 
whole nu-mber that will lie required by their Posts, accompanied by the 
money. Price, $l.oO each. 

VII. Department Headquarters having been removed from State 
Street to No. 3GG Washington Street, Room 4, the Commander will be 
pleased to have comrades of this or other Departments call at these 
Headquarters when in the city. 

********* 

IX. Appended will be found a list of Posts of this Department, 
with names of the Commanders, locations, and titles. Any changes will 
be promptly reported to this office. 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
S. HovEY, Jr., Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



ROSTER OF POST COMMANDERS, JAN. 1, 1870. 



Post. Commander. 

1 George R. Hurlbut, 

2 William P. Hiller, 

3 Harrie A. Cushman, 

4 D. H. Walker, 

5 Thomas B. Homan, 

6 Charles H. Fuller, 

7 Robert W. Peterson, 

8 L. D. Munroe, 

9 A, S. Trowbridge, 

10 A. C. Soley, 

11 Wm. Spaulding, 

12 John M. Cate, 

13 George W. Leach, 
U A. L. Maddin, 

15 Thomas L. Livermore, 

16 John L. Rice, 

17 G. G. Martin, 

18 Frank H. Wall, 

19 Walter A. Eames, 

20 A. S. Gratin, 

21 Dexter P. Brigham, 

22 Daniel E. Spencer, 

23 William A. West, 

24 L. S. Clark, 

2.5 Albe r t A . Sherman, 

2G Charles H. Hovey, 

27 Lewis T. Emerson, 

28 L. J. Goodell, 

29 G. F. Frost, 

30 S. E. Chamberlain, 

31 A. Sampson, 

32 W. II. Cunningham, 

33 Lewis W. Osgood, 

34 C. H. Chase, 



Location. 
New Bedford, 
Nantucket, 
Taunton, 
Melrose, 
Lynn, 
Holliston, 
Boston, 
Middleboro. 
Hudson, 
Worcester, 
Charlestown, 
Wakefield, 
N. Bridgewater, 
Hopkinton, 
Boston, 
Springfield, 
Orange, 
Ashland, 
Fitchburg, 
Paxton, 
Westboro, 
Milford, 
East Boston, 
Grafton, 
Uxbridge, 
Boston Highlands, 
Oxford, 
West Boylston, 
Waltham. 
Cambridgeport, 
Ashburnhani, 
South Boston, 
Woburn, 
Salem, 



Title. 
William Logan Rodman. 
Sherburne. 
Wm. H. Bartlett. 
U. S. Grant. 
Gen. Lander. 
Powell T. Wyman. 
Charles Russell Lowell. 

J. L. Reno. 
Geo. H. Ward. 
Abraham Lincoln. 
Warren. 

Fletcher Webster. 
C. II. Phillips. 
John A. AndreAv. 
E. K. AVilcox. 
Abraham Lincoln. 
Prescott, 
E. V. Sumner. 
Munroe. 
John Sedgwick. 
Maj. E. V. Fletcher. 
Joseph Hooker. 
A. B. R. Sprague. 
Charles Devens. 
Thos. G. Stevenson. 
Charles Devens, Jr. 
Geo. D. Wells. 

Wm. H. Smart. 

J. L. Reno. 

AVashington. 

Murbank. 

Phil. H. Sheridan. 



70 



EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Post. 


Commander. 


Location. 


Title. 


35 


Chas. A. Currier, 


Chelsea, 


Theodore Winthrop. 


36 


James A. Baker, 


Amherst, 


E. M. Stanton. 


37 


Edward Town send, 


Speucer, 


F. A. Stearns. 


88 


Artemas D. Ward, 


Brookfleld, 


Dexter. 


39 


E. A. Fiske, 


Lawrence, 


Needham. 


40 


Francis A. Bicknell, 


North Weymouth, 


Lincoln. 


41 


Edwin B. Smitli, 


Westtield, 


Camp Lyon. 


42 


Charles H. Kimball, 


Lowell, 


B. F. Butler. 


43 


James S. Stone, 


Marlboro, 


John A. Rawlins. 


44 


Joseph B. Parsons, 


Northampton, 


John Sedgwick. 


45 


Benj. F. Cook, 


Gloucester, 


Col. Allen. 


46 


E. T. Marvell, 


Fall River, 


Richard Borden. 


47 


Luther Da}', 


Haverhill, 


Major Howe. 


48 


G. C. Brock, 


Groton Junction, 


Geo. S. Boutwell. 


49 


Joseph L. Johnson, 


Newburyport, 


A. W. Bartlett. 


50 


Sidney Sibley, 


Bar re. 


J. B. Plumraer. 


51 


Henry S. Johnson, 


North Brookfleld. 




52 


John A. Lynch, 


North Easton, 


H. B. Randall. 


53 


Frank W."rolley, 


Leominster, 


Chas. H. Stevens. 


54 


Edward H. Hartshorn, 


Berlin, 


John B. Gough. 


55 


Wm. A. H. Grant, 


Southbridge, 


Malcolm AiDmidown. 


56 


J. Warren Cotton, 


Cambridge, 


Charles Beck. 


57 


Henry B. Leighton, 


East Cambridge, 


P. Stearns Davis. 


58 


Nelson Hubert, 


Weymouth, 


Reynolds. 


59 


James A. Pratt, 


Sterling. 




60 


A. A. White, 


Whitinsville, 


.Jesse L. Reno. 


61 


Amos D. Shumway, 


AVebster, 


Nathaniel Lvon. 


62 


Charles P. Clark, 


Newton Centre, 


Chas. Ward*. 


63 


Charles E. Gerrokl, 


Natick, 


Gen. Sedgwick. 


64 


W. J. Coulter, 


Clinton, 


E. D. Baker. 


65 


F. H. Moore, 


Warren, 


Clara Barton. 


66 


Pearl Martin, 


Med ford. 


Sam'l C. Lawrence. 


67 


Wm. A. Stone, 


Manchester, 


Allen. 


68 


S. F. White, 


Boston (Dor. D.), 


Benjamin Stone, Jr. 


69 


Abner E. Drury, 


Westminster, 


Jos. E. Rice. 


70 


Richard Eddy, 


Franklin, 


Phil. Kearney. 


71 


Justin E. Brown, 


Holyoke, 


Kilpatrick. 


72 


A. St. John Chambre, 


Stoughton, 


A. St. .John Chambre, 


73 


J. Willard Brown, 


Abington, 


McPherson. 


74 


James B. Studley, 


East Abington, 


Hartsuft'. 


75 


E. B. Fairchild, 


Stoneham, 


J. H. Goyld. 


76 


Isaac B. White, 


Plymouth, 


CoUingwood. 


77 


P. R. Newell, 


Holden, 


Therou E. Hall. 


78 


John R. Whitcomb, 


South Abington, 


David A. Russell. 


79 


Wm. McKay, 


North Adams, 


U. S. Grant. 


80 


Charles L. Moody, 


South Hadley, 


Thomas AVhite. 


81 


Frank S. Gardner, 


Brimfield. 




82 


Knott V. Martin, 


Marblehead, 


St. John Goodwin. 


83 


George B. Oldham, 


Hanover, 


Joseph E. Wilder. 


84 


Edward G. Tuteen, 


Maiden, 


Gen. John G. Foster. 


85 


Herbert M. Coney, 


Ware, 


J. W. Lawton. 


86 


D. G. Hemmenway, 


Assabet, 


Henry Wilson. 


87 


James T. Bestick, 


Braintree, 


Gen. Sylvanus Thayei 


88 


Charles H. Porter, 


Quincy, 


Paul Revere. 


89 


Edward L. Gidding, 


Beverly, 


John H. Chipman. 


90 


Dan'l Preston, 


Danvers, 


Ward. 


91 


Edwin P. Jewett, 


Foxboro, 


E. P. Carpenter. 


92 


Joshua A. Loomis, 


Easthampton, 


G. C. Strong. 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



71 



Post. Commander. 

93 J. A. Richmond, 

94 John D. Billings, 

95 Charles A. Newhall, 

96 Asa B. Fay, 

97 Chas. A. Ma}'ers, 

98 Jacob L. Green, 

99 Joseph r. Reed, 

100 Nathaniel Shatswell, 

10 1 N. E. Ladd, 

102 N. D. r. Foster, 

103 William Spittle, 

104 IlaAvkes Fearing, 

105 D. A. Patridge, 

106 Thos. F. Parsons, Jr., 

107 Lyman Woodward, 

108 Channcey 0. Noyes, 

109 V. P. Parkhurst, 

110 Edmund Cottle, 

111 C. Thompson, 

112 William C. Litchfield, 

113 Wilmon W. Blackmar, 

114 Alexander Smart, 

115 A. C. Sparks, 

116 George W. Wilson, 

117 H.J.Daniels, 

118 John R. Merritt, 

119 John Kirkpatrick, 

120 George Pierce, Jr., 



Location. 

Shelburne Falls, 

Canton, 

Sangus (Sau.Cen.), 

Northboro, 

Auburn, 

Pittsfield, 

Princeton, 

Ipswich, 

Groveland, 

Billerica, 

Chicopee, 

Hingham, 

West Medway, 

Rockport. 

Hubbard ston, 

Georgetown, 

East Templeton, 

Randolph, 

Duxbury. 

South Scitnate, 

Boston, 

West Araesbury, 

Lee, 

South Gardner, 

Medfield. 

Swampscott, 

South Hadley Falls 

Greenfield, 



rule. 
Orso Miller. 
Revere. 
E. W. Hincks. 
Northboro. 
John A. Logan. 
Phil. Sheridan. 
John D. Mirick. 
Gen. Wm. Cogswell. 
L. B. Schwabe. 
J. Gushing Edniands. 
Otis Chapman. 
EdAvin Humphrey. 
Wilder T) wight. 

Burnside. 

E. Everett Peabody. 
John Ericsson. 
Horace Niles. 

Gen. Charles Griffin. 

Edward W. Kinsley. 

Col. Chas. R. Mudge. 

Buford. 

John G. Foster. 

James L. Bates. 

Edward E. Day. 



Headquakters Deft, of Mass 
366 Washing 

BOSTO 



F Mass., G.A.R., 1 
GTON Street, > 
IN, May 19, 1870. J 



General Orders \ 
No. 3. / 

I. In compliance with General Orders No. 8 from National Head- 
quarters, relating to Memorial Day, it is hereby ordered that Post Com- 
manders take the necessary steps to carry out its requirements. 

II. Full reports of the proceedings of each Post, with copies of 
addresses, orations, etc., will be forwarded to this office for publication 
in book form. 

III. Commanders whose Posts do not take part in the ceremonies 
of the day Avill report the fact to these Headquarters, with the reason 
why. 

IV. It is hereby ordered, that upon all occasions of ceremony. 
Post officers shall appear with side arms. All comrades should wear 
the National badge of our Order. Commanders will comply, as far as 
practicable, with the requirements of Article IX., Chapter V., Rules and 
Regulations. 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 

Commander. 
S. HovEY, Jr., , 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



G.A.R.,1 

lOM 4, [ 

12, 1870. j 



72 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters DErr. of Mass., G.A.R., 
3GG Washington Street, Roo 
General Orders "I Boston, Juue 2^ 

No. 4. / 

I. The regulai- meeting of the Department will be held at 11 o'clock 
A.M., on Wednesday, July 20, at the hall of Post No. 11, corner of Main 
and Henley Streets, Charlestown. 

The Encampment will be constituted in accordance Avith Paragraphs 

1, 2, and 3, Chapter III., Rules and Regulations. Posts will be entitled 
to representation in the ratio of one delegate for every fifty members, 
with one additional delegate for a final fraction of more than half that 
number. The credentials of delegates will be made in duplicate, signed 
by the retiring Post Commander and Adjutant, one copy to be forwarded 
to these Headquarters within one Aveek after the election, the other to be 
presented to the Chairman of the Committee on Credentials when called 
for at the Encampment. 

The attention of Post Commanders is particularly called to the re- 
quirements of the chapter and article above mentioned, in relation to 
reports and dues, a strict compliance with which is requisite for the 
admission of delegates to seats in the Encampment. It is recommended 
that each delegate, before leaving his Post, satisfy himself that all 
reports and dues have been forwarded, that he may not be excluded 
from the Encampment. 

II. Notice has been received of the intention to propose an amend- 
ment to Article III. of the By-laws, changing the day of the monthly 
meeting of the Council of Administration ; also to Article VI., increasing 
the Department dues. 

Dr. Samuel A. Green, Medical Director of this Department, having 
resigned, in consequence of his election as Surgeon-General, the vacancy 
will be filled. 

III. Commanders who have not already complied with Paragraph 

2, General Orders No. 3, from these Headquarters, requiring reports of 
the ceremonies on Memorial Day, are requested to do so at once 

IV. A report Avill be presented by the committee appointed by and 
from the Council of Administration, to prepare a plan looking to the 
erection of a monument to the memory of the late .John A. Andrew. 

V. An expression of opinion Avill be called for in relation to the 
propriety of petitioning the Legislature to make Memorial Day a public 
holiday. 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
S. HovEY, Jr., Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



E Mass., G.A.R., "j 
^f St., Room 4, [■ 
r)N, June 25, 1870. J 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R. , 
366 Washington 
General Orders") Boston, 

No. 5. / 

I. The Department Inspector-General desires a full and complete 
report of all Posts in the Department, previous to July 10. Assistant 
Inspectors Avho cannot do so are requested to send in their resignations 
immediately, that comrades may be appointed Avho Avill attend to it. 
This is done in consequence of the inexcusable delay on the part of some 
of the Assistant Inspectors in forwarding their last report. 

Posts that are thriving need not be visited again before this report 
is made ; but such Posts should be included in the return by copying 
from the retained report of last quarter. No other report will be re- 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



quired nntilJan. 1, 1871. It is therefore necessary that the next inspec- 
tion should be thorough, especial attention to be given to Posts that have 
not been recently visited. 

A full attendance of the Assistant Inspectors is requested at the 
Convention in Charlestown, Wednesday, July 20, on which occasion a 
meeting will be called for the purpose of organizing more etl'ectually. 

II. Duplicate charters will be i.ssued where the originals have 
faded. 

III. Electroplates (for printing Post paper, notices, etc.) of the 
official seal of the Order can be obtained at those Ileadcjuarters, upon 
receipt of price ($1.50). 

IV. Post Quartermasters and others sending money to these Head- 
quarters are requested to send post-office orders or drafts on Boston, 
payable to Col. S. Ilovey, Jr., Asst. Adjt.-Gcn. 

********* 

VI. It is hereby ordered that all reports due at the expiration of 
a term shall be made and signed by the retiring officers. 

VII. Post Adjutants will observe the following directions in pre- 
paring their quarterly returns : The Roster of Officers should give the 
names of those newly elected. In the table under heading of "No. of 
Members in Good Standing at last report," the figures must be taken 
from the colnnin of "Aggregate Members for this quarter." In the 
retained report of previous quarter add to the number of recruits so 
(>l)tained the aggregate number of recruits gained, from which subtract 
the aggregate nund)or of recruits lost; the remainder is the " Aggregate 
number of Recruits for this quarter." Proceed in the same way with 
Soldiers and Veterans. 

Under the heading of "Loss," substitute for the word "Death" 
(if this cohnnn is not to be used)," Advancement," so it will read " Loss 
by Advancement." If a recruit is advanced to the grade of Soldier, he 
is " Lost ""By Advancement " as a recruit and " Gained" by muster as a 
soldier; if a soldier is advanced to the grade of Veteran, he is " Lost " 
"By Advancement" as a soldier and "Gained" "By muster" as a 
veteran. 

The names and descriptions of the new members only should be 
given in the Muster Roll. The " Number " of the first name should be the 
next succeeding number to the "Total" number of "Aggregate mem- 
bers for this quarter" in the table. All the blank spaces in the table 
should be filled, especially the charity columns. 

VIII. Post Quartermasters Avill observe the following directions, 
under the head of " Receipts" : Give the amount of cash on hand at last 
report (this n\ust be written, as there is no blank space for it) ; give the 
number of members from whom dues have been received; also, the 
number of veterans from whom the "Veteran dues" have been col- 
lected ; also, the total amount of cash received during- the quarter from 
initiation or any other source. 

Under head of " Expenditures," give number of members for which 
Department dues are to be paid. This number, if correct, will be the 
same as the "Total" of the "Aggregate Members for this quarter," as 
shown upon the Adjutant's report; also, give the number of veterans for 
which dues are to be paid. This number, if correct, will be the same as 
veterans " Gained " by muster, as given upon the Adjutant's report. 
Give also the total amount expended for charity. 

IX. Post Commanders will at once forward to these Headquarters 
the roster of the newly-elected officers; also, give the time (day and 
hour) of their regular Post meetings. 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
S. HovKY. Ji! . Commander. 

Assistant Ailjntnnt-Gcnorco . 



74 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,") 
3G6 Washington Street, Room 4, I 
General Orders \ Boston, Aug. 10, 1870. J 

No. 6. r 

I. The semi-annual meeting of the Department was held in 
Charlestown, Commander James L. Bates presiding. One hundred and 
forty-tive delegates were present, representing seventy-seven Posts. 
Prayer was ottered by Kev. A. St. John Chambre (commanding Post 77). 
After the meeting had been organized, on invitation of Commander Geo. 
B. Childs, tlie delegates partook of a collation provided by Post 2. 

The Quartermaster's report was read, showing the receipts for six 

months to have been $5,461.46 

Expenditures 5,057.83 

Cash on hand .$403.63 

Dr. Joel Seaverns, Post 26, was unanimously elected as Medical 
Director, vice Dr. Samuel A. Green, resigned. 

It was voted, That the Council of Administration prepare forms of 
ceremony to be observed by all Posts for Installations, Burials and upon 
Memorial Day: to be printed in pamphlet form, and a sum charged 
sufficient to cover the expense ; these forms to be used until the National 
Encampment issue a complete Ritual, containing the necessary forms 
for all prescribed ceremonies. 

It was voted. That the next Department Encampment be held with 
Post 42 in the city of Lowell. 

It was voted. That the Commander of this Department be instructed 
to require the semi-annual reports and dues of Posts to be forwarded 
not later than the first of each month next succeeding the close of the 
quarter for Avhich they are made : and on the eighth of such month 
notice be sent to each Post Commander, and also to one delegate from 
each Post in arrears at the date of such deticiency; and that unless all 
reports and dues are immediately received, the delegates from those 
Posts will be rigorously excluded from the Encampment. Also, that the 
Assistant Adjutant-General shall, without delay, forward to all Post 
Commanders an acknowledgment of all reports and dues. 

It was voted. That, in the opinion of this Encampment, it is for its 
best interests that Memorial Day be fixed at a date later than May 30, and 
that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to National Headquarters. 

It was voted. That the revised Ritual, reported by a Committee of 
this Department, and presented by its delegates to the last National 
Encampment, be referred back to that Committee, with instructions to 
correspond with comrades of other Departments in reference to its 
general adoption and report at the next meeting of this Encampment. 

It was voted. That the Council of Administration be requested to 
propose some plan by which the exorbitant prices charged for music on 
Memorial Day be reduced, and report at the next meeting of this En- 
campment. 

It was voted. To amend Article III., Department By-laws, clianging 
the day and hour of the meeting of the Council to the first Wednesday 
of each month at 2 p.m. 

It Avas not considered necessary to increase the Department dues. 
********* 

III. In compliance with Paragraph 2, General Orders No. 0, 
Series 1869, froni these Headquarters, it is hereby ordered that Posts in 
this Department cease using the name of our late President Lincoln as a 
title, except Post No. 40 of North Weymouth, it having been the first to 
adopt that name. 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAAIPMENT. 75 



All Posts in this Department •will cease usins the name of General 
Sheridan as a title, except Post 34, it having been the first to adopt that 
name. 

All Posts in this Department "will cease using the name of General 
Grant as a title, except Post 4, it having been the first to adopt that name. 

All Posts in this Department will coase using tlie name of General 
Reno as a title, except Post 9, it having been the first to adopt that name. 

All Posts in this Department will cease using the name of General 
Sedgwick as a title, except Post 21, it having been the first to adopt that 
name. 

All Posts in this Department will cease using the name of General 
Foster as a title, except Post 84, it having been the first to adopt that 
name. 

IV. The newly-revised Rules and Regulations are now ready for 
issue. 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
S. HovF-Y, Jr., Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



IIkadquaktkks Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
366 Washington' Street, Room 4, 
General Orders"! Boston, Aug. 15, 1870 

No. 7. i 

I. In accepting the resignation of the Assistant Adjutant-General, 
the Commander takes pleasure in expressing his entire satisfaction with 
the energy, signal ability, and faithfulness of Comrade Hovey in the dis- 
charge of his ofHcial duties at these Headcjuarters ; whose eflbrts have 
systematized and materially strengthened the organizatiqn throughout 
this Department, and whose reports have repeatedly elicited letters of 
commendation from National Headquarters. 

II. Comrade Henry B. Peirce of Post 73 is hereby appointed 
Assistant Adjutant-General of this Department, and will be obeyed and 
respected accordingly. 

III. Until tlie appointment of a Department Inspector, all Assist- 
ant Inspectors will report to the Assistant Adjutant-General direct. 

IV. Office hours : From 10 a.m. to 12 .m., and from 2 to 4 p.m. ; on 
Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

JAMES L. BATES, 

Commander. 



Headquartkrs Dkpt. of Mass.", G.A.R. 
366 Washington Street, Room 4, 
General Orders) Boston, Sept. 14, 1870 

No. 8. / 

I. Comrade Charles O. Welch of Post 57 has been appointed De- 
partment Inspector of this Department, vice Comrade Peirce, appointed 
Assistant Adjutant-General, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
Assistant Inspectors Avill report in accordance therewith. 

II. The following Assistant Inspectors have been appointed since 
the promulgation of Genera! Orders No. 2 : Comrades Chas. M. Newton 
of Post 38,^ vice J. G. Hill; J. AV. Hart of Post 58, vice Bailey; J. B. 
Wildes of Post 39, vice Merrill; F. C. Choate of Post 125, vice Porter; 



76 EARLY HISTORY DKPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Byron Porter of Post 16, vice Capron ; A. M. Parker of Post 10, F. "W. 
Perkins of Post 45, Geo. B. Oldham of Post 83, John K. Wade of Post 
15 ; and they will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

III. In accordance Avith the decision of the Judge Advocate-Gen- 
eral of the Grand Army of the Republic, all Post courts-martial will 
hereafter be composed of three officers, the junior member to act as 
Judge Advocate, conforming to the rules laid down for garrison and 
regimental courts-martial, as found in Article LXVI. of the Articles of 
War, Revised Army Regulations. 

IV. Post Commanders are reminded that all reports and dues for 
the present quarter should be forwarded promptly upon the first day of 
October, and that the Adjutant's and Quartermaster's reports should 
agree in all cases. The "Aggregate Members for this quarter," as 
shown in the Adjutant's report, is the number for which dues are to be 
paid. 

********* 

By order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
Henry B. Pkikce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



570. J 



IIeadquaktkrs Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.R. 
3GG Washington Strkkt, Room 4, 
General Orders"! Boston, Dec. 1), 1870. 

No. 9. / 

I. The annual meeting of the Department Encampment will be 
held with B. F. Butler Post No. 42, Lowell, Mass., at 11 o'clock a.m., on 
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 1871. 

The following vote of the last Encampment is reproduced, for the 
information of Posts : — 

" It was voted, That the Commander of this Department be in- 
structed to require the semi-annual reports and dues of Posts to be for- 
warded not later than the first of each month next succeeding the close 
of the quarter for which they are made; and on the 8th of such month 
notice be sent to each Post Commander, and also to one delegate from 
each Post in arrears at the date of such deficiency; and that unless all 
reports and dues are immediately received, the delegates from those 
Posts will be rigorously excluded from the Encampment. Also, that 
the Assistant Adjutant-General shall, without delaj% forward to all Post 
Commanders an acknowledgment of the receipt of all reports and dues." 

Posts will be entitled to representation in the ratio of one delegate 
for every fifty members, with one additional member for a final fraction 
of more than half that number; but each Post, whatever its numbers, 
shall be entitled to choose at least one member. (See Chapter III., 
Article II., of the Revised Rules and Regulations.) As none but regularly- 
elected delegates or alternates will be admitted to seats in the Encamp- 
ment (Post Commanders being members by virtue of their office), care 
will be taken to elect none but those that will attend. 

II. In addition to the election of Department officers and other 
regular business, the Council of Administration will report upon a plan 
for the reduction of the exorbitant prices charged for music on Memorial 
Day ; also, a report of the Committee upon the Revision of the Ritual. 

III. An expression of opinion will be called for in relation to the 
expediency of a Department parade, time and place to be determined by 
the Encampment ; also, as to the propriety of making Memorial Day a 
legal holiday. 



FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



IV. Post Adjutants will remember that the names of officers-elect 
must appear in their report for this (juarter, but that tlie report must be 
siiined by the retiring Commander and Adjutant; also, that the bUmks, 
"Dale of last order," "Amount expended for Charity," "Number of 
Rituals on hand," etc., etc., must be tilled. Reports heretofore have 
been inexcusably incomplete in this particular. 

V. Tost Conunanders will see to it, personally, that the Adjutant's 
and Quartermaster's reports agree in " Agiircgate Membership for this 
quarter," and " Numiier of Veterans mustered during (piarter," before 
forwarding them. In this way a great deal of unnecessary labor and 
expense will be avoided. All Posts indebted to this Department for 
books, blanks, etc., will be required to settle in full to Jan. I, 1871. 

VIII. Au extra train will leave the Boston & Lowell Station, 
Causeway Street, foot of Friend, at 9.30 a.m.; returning, leave Lowell 
at 3.30 P.M., or thirty minutes after adjournment of the Encampment. 

Delegates Avillbe supplied Avith tickets from Boston to Lowell and 
return, at half fare, by applying at the railway station in Boston. 

Excursion tickets good only on the extra. 
Bv order of 

JAMES L. BATES, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




WILLIAM COGSWELL, 

187I. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT SPRINGFIELD, 
1872. 



The Encampment was called to order at 12 m., by Com- 
mander CoGSWELi., and prayer was offered by Comrade Grose, 
of Post 143. 

Absent— J.V.C. . • • S. E. Chamberlain. 
" Medical Director, A. R. Rice. 

i» Chaplain . . . Miles Sanford. 

" Judge Advocate . C. F. Walcott. 

The roll was called, and two hundred and fifty-one members 
answered to their names, — one hundred and one Tosts being 
represented. Comrades not members were admitted as spectators ; 
after which came the 

ADDRESS OF COMMANDER COGSWELL. 

Comrades of the Department Encampment: 

We have come together once more in annual convention, 
and are about to transact the important business of tins meeting, 
and to deliberate upon the welfare of the grand Order to which 
we belong, to which we are devoted, and for the success of which 
we are bound, by some of the strongest and noblest of human 

ties, to work. . , . , i ^ 

And now, as I am about to return to you tne high and sacied 
trust which a year ago you confided to my keeping,— and tor 
which mark of esteem and coniidence of my former comrades m 
arms, I shall ever remain most proud and grateful, - it has 
seemed to me to be one of my duties to lay before you a state- 
ment, as briefly as 1 may, of the present condition of the Depart- 
ment, coupled with such few suggestions as a year s experience at 
IleadQuarters would seem to approve of, as proper and opportune, 
and as possibly aiding you in the discharge of your duties here. 



80 EARLY HISTOUY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The year now ending has been one of marked interest and 
progress, throughout all the States, in the Grand Army of the 
Republic, — beginning with the National Encampment in May 
last, in Boston, when the one-grade system was adopted, a new 
ritual and new installation and burial services prepai'ed, and a 
material reduction in our ordinary expenses was made at National 
Headquai'ters. 

In many places, where the interest in the Order seemed to 
be waning, it is now apparent that a new interest has been 
awakened. 

It gives me great pleasure to be able to assure you that our 
National Headquarters show an untiring devotion to the success, 
well-being, and best interests of the Grand Army. 

Within the Department, our number has increased some four 
hundred. This number would be larger but for the fact, that 
under the changed rule and regulations, a large number have been 
dropped from the rolls for non-payment of dues, which before 
could not be done, except through the tedious process of court- 
martial, which was not generally availed of; so that the whole 
number dropped from the rolls this year is not fairly chargeable 
to this year, when treating of our increase in number, as will 
readily be seen, when we consider that the number of new mem- 
bers this year amounts to two thousand five hundred and eighty- 
seven. 

There is on hand in our treasury, with all bills paid, some- 
thing over one thousand dollars ; this, too, after a material re- 
duction in our profits from the sale of badges, ribbons, rituals, &c. 

Eleven new charters have been granted ; five charters have 
been surrendered ; and four charters have been revoked. 

We have lost by death, one hundred and eight ; by dis- 
honorable discharge, six. 

There has been disbursed for charity something like thirty 
thousand dollars; of which, the sum of $2,207.34 has been dis- 
bursed by one Post alone. 

In May, by the generous and prompt action of different 
Posts, the sum of $1,666 was contributed to entertain in a 
proper manner the National Encampment; and by this means, 
it is believed, our kindly relations with the other Departments 
of the Grand Army were more fully cemented. A balance of 
this sum, amounting to $323.86, after the payment of all bills, 
was placed in the hands of Assistant Quartermaster-General 
Greenough for purposes of charity, — of which some seventy 
dollars has been carefully and judiciously disbursed. 

The subject of a fall parade, which was referred to the 
Council of Administration, was fullj'^ considered by the Council. 
Responses from a large number of Posts, to a circular in regard 
to a parade, left the Council in much doubt as to the wishes of 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 81 

comrades in this respect ; and, after a partial, but exceedingly 
successful parade of the Department in September, upon the 
invitation of the City of Boston, and after a parade by the 
Essex County Posts, the matter was voted inexpedient. The 
o-eneral iiood appearance and behavior of these two parades 
demonstrated that the Posts of this Department, if tliey would 
all turn out, would make a grand and imposing display. 

During the year, the Department has been divided into new 
inspection districts, and the Inspector's Department is in vigorous 
and useful prosecution of its all-important duties, and mucli good 
may be expected from our inspection system, as now carried on 
under the new ritual. The adoption of this ritual and the one- 
grade system has everywhere worked most beneficially ; and let 
us hope that, in this respect, there will be no further change. 
Since its publication, every Post but three in this Department 
has been inspected; and, in most cases, the most favorable 
reports have been made. More promptly than ever before have 
dues been paid and reports made. 

During the Convention there will be distributed to you by 
the Assistant Adjutant-General a circular from National Head- 
quarters, issued by the Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, to- 
gether with blank petitions praying Congress for certain modifi- 
cations in the Homestead laws in favor of soldiers and sailors. 
In transmitting these blanks to you, I feel it my duty to state 
that they came to Headquarters in the wrappers of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad. They will be before you to sign or not, as you 
may see fit. It is not for me to judge, perhaps ; but I fail to see 
how this subject-matter is embraced within our purposes of 
Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. I say this in no spirit of 
insubordination, far from it; but with the success and true 
welfare of the Order only before my eyes. And this briefly is 
our condition today. We are by no means perfect in our organi- 
zation, but we are neither standing still nor going backward, 
while everywhere our prospects are most encouraging for the 
future. This fortunate condition of affairs is owing to the de- 
votion of a vast majority of our members to the three cardinal 
and only principles and purposes of our Order, — Fraternity, 
Charity, and Loyalty ; to the faithfulness, industry, and intelli- 
gence of your Assistant Adjutant-General and Department In- 
spector and his assistants ; to the regular and industrious labors 
of the Council of Administration ; and to the good and prosper- 
ing condition in which the Department was left by my predecessor. 
Comrade Batks. 

And I desire here to express my thanks and obligations to 
my personal staff and to the officers' of the Department for the 
great assistance they have rendered me in the discharge of my 
duties during the year. 
6 



82 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

I have but little now in the way of suggestion. Our duties 
are simple, though important, and upon the discharge of those 
duties depend our welfare and success ; and those duties are 
but a strict adherence to fraternal and charitable objects and 
objects of loyalty, and to nothing else. We have nothing to do 
with public questions of any kind. We have only to keep forever 
green the memory of comrades dead ; to care for dependent com- 
rades and their families living and the families of the slain ; to 
pay the last sad rites over the graves of members gone ; to love 
and inculcate loyalty ; and to regard and treat each other as 
brothers, so long as we shall live. Any departure from this 
leads to disaster, leads to disruption, leads to our end as an 
organization. 

I have no reason to think that anywhere has there been an 
attempt to verge from this the straight and true path. A single 
rumor has reached me, but it was only a rumor, that in one Post 
applicants had been blackballed on political grounds. 1 hope 
this was not the case. If, however, it was true, the member or 
members doing it should themselves be blackballed by a dis- 
honorable discharge. And I particularly congratulate you upon 
the fact, that a heated and personal political campaign has so 
recently passed over our good old Commonwealth, from out of 
which you came, as an organization, without even the smell of 
fire upon your garments. 

Too much care cannot be taken to exercise charity, one 
towards another. We should be slow to make charges against 
each other; but firm in making them, without fear or favor, 
when it becomes a duty. And by all means, should we keep 
the different matters of our business to ourselves, until it is 
proper to make them public. 

We should also be careful to discipline members only for 
acts committed while in their capacity as members of the Order ; 
and in no way, by means of our courts-martial, seek to perform 
the functions properly belonging to the civil and criminal laws 
under which we live. 

We should put our funds in the safest places ; and each Post 
should adopt the strongest safeguards for the protection of its 
charity fund. I regret to have to report that there have been too 
many cases, though the number is very few, where money has 
been misappropriated; and a well-devised system of checks upon 
those who have funds in their charge would certainly be advisable. 

Let your offices of honor and trust be filled by those only, 
who, forgetting self, will thoroughly devote themselves to the 
prosperity of the Order. Let the office seek the comrade, and 
not the comrade seek the office. Different from all other offices, 
they should be filled by different means. Every office in the 
Order is one of honor, of high and sacred trust, and should be 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 83 

filled by those who love the true purposes of the place, rather 
than themselves. 

And now, in closing, I have but a word to say. I love the 
Grand Army of the Republic more each day that I live. I believe 
it has a grand mission before it ; that it is engaged in a great 
and Christian work ; that we are all the better for belonging to it ; 
and that we have a right to be proud of it. And again thanking 
my comrades for their generous support of me in my labors as 
their Commander, asking their indulgence for the meager efforts 
I have to give to them in return therefor, and asking God's bless- 
ings upon the Grand Army of the Republic, I await the pleasure 
of this Convention. 



One thousand copies wei'e ordered to be printed for distri- 
bution among the several Posts, without charge. The reading 
of the records of the last Encampment was dispensed with. 

A memorial from Post 68, relative to a monument for John 
A. Andrew, also containing a form for memorial service, pre- 
sented and laid upon the table. 

An intermission of one hour was then taken, and the dele- 
gates were invited to the Headquarters of Post 16, where a 
bountiful collation had been provided. 

Reassembled at 3 o'clock p.m. 



REPORT OF TME ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 17, 1872. 
Commander and Comrades of the Department Encampment : 

In accordance with Chap. III., Art. VI., Sect. 10, of the 
Revised Rules and Regulations, I have the houor to submit the 
following Report for the year 1<S71 : — 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1870 142 

Number of members appearing upon report for fourth 

quarter, 1«70 10,800 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1871 144 

Number of members appearing upon report for fourth 

quarter, 1871 11,208 

Showing a gain of two Posts and four hundred and eight mem- 
bers during the year. 



84 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



The following charters have been granted diiriug the year 
Post 20 ... . Blackstoue. 



(( 


21 . . . 


Needham. 


u 


50 . . . 


. Townsend. 


(( 


81 . . . 


Watertown. 


;( 


129 .. . 


Somerset. 


u 


137 .. . 


. Great Barrington 


(( 


138 .. . 


Boston. 


u 


143 .. . 


Brookline. 


(( 


144 .. . 


. Dedham. 


a 


145 .. . 


Attleboro. 


a 


146 .. . 


. New Bedford. 


The following have surrem 


iered their charters : — 


Post 


20 . . 


. Paxtou. 


(( 


21 . . . 


. Westboro. 


u 


50 . . . 


Barre. 


u 


55 . . 


. Southbridge. 


(( 


138 . . 


Wareham. 


The following charters hav 


e been annulled : — 


Post 


81 . . 


Brimfield. 


u 


84 . . . 


Maiden. 


il 


129 . . . 


Hanson. 


u 


137 . . . 


. Housatonic. 



Number of members admitted by muster 2,587 

" " " by transfer 253 

" " "by reinstatement ... 898 

" " lost by death . . 108 (to 73 in 1870) 

Lost by honorable discharge 136 

" transfer '. 301 

Dropped from the rolls 495 

Suspended 2,290 

Dishonorably discharged 6 

The amount disbursed for charity, so far as reported, was 
$29,823.50. 

Number of comrades aided, 559 ; — 1,635 persons, not mem- 
bers, were also aided. 

This report is for one hundred and thirty-six Posts. Seven 
Posts are in arrears for reports, viz. : — No. 17, Orange; No. 25, 
"Oxbridge; No. 31, Ashburnham ; No. 96, Northboro ; No. 114, 
West Amesbury ; No. 130, Williamstown ; and No. 135, Acton 
(two quarters). [Since the above report, all, except No. 96 and 
No. 130, have made returns in full.] And no report has yet been 
received of the organization of Post 137, at Great Barrington. 

The return to the one-grade system has simplified the forms 
for rejDorts, and they are generally correct when received at Head- 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 85 

quarters, though some of the Posts yet persist in orwarding them 
separately. Orders from Department and Natic al Headquarters 
are forwarded to Post Commanders, and it is feared that so'me of 
them do not reach the Posts, as several of the Adjutants report 
from one to six of last year's orders missing from their files. 
This could hardly be the fault of Headquarters, as great care is 
taken to see that copies are mailed to every Post, and also from 
the fact, that in many cases, two orders enclosed in the same 
envelope (one from Department the other from National Head- 
quarters), the Adjutant reports one only as missing. 

The general condition of the Posts is so faithfully given in 
the Inspector's Report, which is to follow, that nothing is neces- 
sary from me in this regard, unless it be an expression of my 
appreciation of his services, which have been valuable to the De- 
partment in dividing it into districts, and lending his personal 
supervision to the whole ; in short, I think that the excellent con- 
dition of the Posts is largely due to the system of ingrj^ection now 
thoroughly organized. I believe that the number of Posts that 
could be called wthealthy is extremely small. Let every comrade 
lend his interest and infiuence to the end that it may be smaller ; 
for our Order is short-lived at the best, and this fact is substan- 
tiated by the increased number of deaths last year over the year 
before. 

I have only one other suggestion to offer — the matter of 
form in Post meetings. It is noticeable that the prosperous Posts 
are those that conform strictly to the Ritual in opening, closing, 
and the manner of conducting business. Several of the Posts 
have adopted the uniform in their meetings ; that is, the oflicers 
appear with side-arms, sashes, white gloves, and caps. This may 
seem a small matter, and yet it adds greatly to the general effect. 

In closing, I have no words to express my feelings toward 
the oflicers of the Department and the comrades of the several 
Posts for the generoua treatment received at their hands. My 
intercourse with all has been pleasant in the extreme. Our Order 
exemplifies that Fraternity, which none but a soldier can feel ; 
that Charity, which is shown by its works ; and that Loyalty, 
which would find us a standing army should oiu" flag be again 
assailed. 

Respectfully sulimitted, in ¥., C, and L., 

HENRY B. TEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 



8G EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL, 
DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, G.A.R. 

For the Year Ending Dec. 30, 1S71. 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand at last Report $001.70 

Cash received for Arrearages, Department Dues for first, 

second, and third quarters, 1870 50.00 

Casli received for Arrearages, Veteran Dues, for first, sec- 
ond, and third quarters, 1870 2.90 

Cash received for Department Dues, fourth quarter, 1870 . 874.90 

" Veteran " " " 1870 . 71. GO 

" Department " first " 1871 . 886.56 

" Veteran " " " 1871 . 53.90 
" Charter Fees, Posts 20, 21, 50, 129, 138, 

U:?, 144, 145, 146 90.00 

Cash received for Stationery, from Com. for Care Disabled 

Soldiers 10.00 

Cash received for Arrears Department Dues, first (jr., 1871 . 4.32 

" " . " " Veteran " " " 1871 . .40 

" " " Department Dues, second quarter, 1871 . 875.52 

" " " Veteran " " " 1871 . 30.80 

" " " Department " third " 1S71 . 839.12 

" " " Arrears Dep't " second " 1871 , 41.60 

" " " " Veteran Dues, second qr., 1871 . 3.00 

from sale of Property of Post 138 .... 32.45 

" " " " Tables and Chairs 18.50 

" " " Books, Blanks, &c., to Posts . . 1,289.83 

" Badges to Posts 3,227.20 

Total $9,304.36 

EXrENDITURES. 

Cash expended, as per vouchers .$8,136.68 

Cash on hand, Dec. 30, 1871 1,167.68 

Total .$9,304.36 

Amount due from Posts, for Books, Blanks, Badges, &c. . . $176.71 

Value of Books, Blanks, Badges, &c., on hand 346.53 

$523.24 

Cash on hand 1,167.68 

$1,690.92 

Indebtedness of Department, Dec. 30, 1871 613.36 

Net Assets of Department, Dec. 30, 1871 . . . $1,077.56 



ITEM ACCOUNT OF EXPENDITURES. 

For Year Ending Dec. 30, 1S71. 

Services of Assistant Adjutant-General $1,400.00 

" " Assistant Quartermaster-General 337.50 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 87 

Inspection expenses "^ol i'o? 

Dues to National Headquarters, for third quarter, 18/0 . . .>14.rfi 

•' fourth quarter, 1S7U . . ;52.h.11 

Veteran Fees, National Headquarters, for third quarter, ISTO 8!».G0 

" fourth " 1870 71. GO 

Dues to National Headquarters, for first (juarter, 1871 . . . •'^'^"^•['^ 

" second " 1871 . . . 343.92 

Veteran Fees, National Headquarters, for first quarter, 1871 54.30 

" second " 1871 33 80 

Dues to National Headtiuarters, for third (luarter, 1871 . . 314 67 

Boolvs and Blanks J^i^-l^ 

Radices 3,010.40 

Rent and Incidental Expenses of Department Headtiuarters, 
including Printing of General Orders, Postage, Stationery, 

&c. . ^ ^-'^-^^ 

Total •SS-130.68 

I desire to call the attention of the Convention, in a few 
words, to the subject of a decrease of the dues to National 
Headquarters. This Department is now paying— in compliance 
with existing rules and regulations — to National Headquarters 
three-eighths of the whole amount received from Posts foj De- 
partment dues. The amount paid during the year l-STl, as 
shown by this report, is $1,635.09 for dues, and 8240.30 for 
Veteran fees. These figures speak for themselves, and, in my 
opinion, call for some action on the part of this Convention. 
As I believe the present administration of the affairs of National 
Headquarters is such that a large reduction of expenses will be 
shown during the past year, a consequent decrease in the dues 
now required from Departments might be made without detri- 
ment to the interests of the Order. AVith this accomplished, the 
j:>er capita dues now required from Posts, — which, as I am 
credibly informed, are already less in this than in any other 
Department of the Grand Army,— might be still further reduced. 
I would also call the attention of the comrades assembled 
in this Convention to the large reduction in the expenses of 
Department Headquarters and in the Inspector's Department 
made during the year, — the inspection expenses being nearly 
fifty per cent less in 1871 than in the preceding year. 

In closing this, my third annual report of the financial affairs 
of the Department, I take pleasure in being al)le to present 
them in so healthy a condition; and would toke this occasion 
to tender to you, Mr. Commander, to the members of the Staff, 
to the Council of Administration, and to all comrades with whom 
I have had official connection and intercourse during the year, 
my sincere thanks for the many courtesies shown me, and for 
the constant interest you have shown in the financial prosperity 

of the Department. 

W. S. GUEENOUGH, 
Assistant Quartermaster- General. 



88 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE OF THE 
COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Boston, January 17th, 1872. 
The Council of Administration, having examined the finan- 
cial accounts of the Assistant (Quartermaster-General of the 
Department, as provided in Chap. III., Art. VI., Sect. 9, of 
the Rules and Regulations, find a balance on hand, December 
30th, 1871, amounting to eleven hundred and sixty-seven dollars 
and sixty-eight cents (Si, 167. 68) ; and they take pleasure in 
commending the admirable system and accuracy displayed 
throughout the Department accounts. 

HENRY R. SIBLEY, ~| 

WM. S. COBB, 

WM. O. FISKE, 

JOSEPH A. TITUS, 

WM. P. DRURY, J 



Conncil of 
Administratioyi. 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR. 



Boston, January 17th, 1872. 



Gen'i. Wm. Cogswell, 

Coimncmder. 
Sir, — I have the honor to 
the condition and efficiency of this Department, so far as it has 



come under my charge. During 
ments as Assistant Inspectors wer 

Wm. Woods . 

Wm. H. Cunningham 

F. C. Choate . 

F. Grant 

E. L. Noyes 

H. A. Cushman 

John Corthell . 

A. St. John Chambri 

P. C. H. Belcher 

E. C. Whitney . 
A. M. Parker . 
Jas. F. Meech . 
Walter A. Fames 
C. M. Newton . 
Byron Porter . 
H. A. Brown . 
John Courtney . 
J. R. Drew . 

F. B. Smith . . 
J. A. Small 



ender the following report of 



the 3^ear, the following appoint- 
e made : — 

Boston. 

South Boston. 

South Boston. 

Salem. 

Newburyport. 

Taunton. 

South Scituate. 

Stoughton. 

Milford. 

Marlboro. 

AVorcester. 

Worcester. 

Fitchburg. 

Brookfield. 

Springfield. 

Northampton. 

South Adams. 

Plymouth. 

Nantucket. 

Provincetown. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 89 

I wish, in the first place, to congratulate this Department 
upon the great advantage we have gained by the one-grade 
system. 

The majority of Posts that Avere last year reported as in a 
bad condition are now reported as getting along splendidly, 
and the change is attributed solely to the new work. Many 
Posts, that found it hard work to induce soldiers to come in 
under the old system, are now receiving new members in good 
numbers. 

The expense of this Department, as you will see by the 
Quartermaster's Report, has not been large, when we consider 
that ours is by far the largest in the United States. 

I called attention, in my report last year, to the inexcusable 
neglect of Post Commanders in not having their Post assembled 
on the night appointed for inspection, thereby making it necessary 
for the Inspector to visit twice and sometimes three times. This 
difficulty, 1 am happy to say, has been remedied in a great 
measure ; but there is still a chance for improvement in a few of 
the Posts. 

Immediately after receiving the new secret work from Na- 
tional Headquarters, a meeting was held at Department Head- 
quarters of the Assistant Inspectors, Fourteen out of the 
twenty were present at the meeting. All were instructed in the 
new work, and also in the form to be used at inspection ; and 
the State was divided into districts, and an inspector placed in 
charge of each district. (See General Order, No. 7.) Owing 
to the delay in receiving the new work, my Department did not 
get fairly to work until October 1st, 1871. I will here say, that 
I am satisfied that the G.A.R. can adopt no system that will 
benefit it more effectually than our system of inspection. It 
brings, as it were. Headquarters in personal contact with, and to 
a knowledge of, the wants of each Post. I also believe, that 
such positions should be filletl by comrades who have the confi- 
dence and respect of the Posts in their district ; and I regret to 
see a disposition, among comrades of distinction and ability, to 
refuse the small sacrifice of a few evenings' time each month 
to build up our noble organization. 

But few words can be said by me at this time, when we 
consider that our Department, which consists of about one 
hundred and forty-four Posts in good standing, and out of all of 
them, we can find but very few but what are in first-rate condi- 
tion. The principal trouble, I find, is a similar trouble that 
exists in other organizations, and that is — a sort of jealousy 
between members. I suppose it would be hardly possible to get 
so large a body of soldiers together and not find some grumblers ; 
but I find sometimes in Posts a good deal of feeling existing 
towards some comrade or comrades, which, when sifted down to 



90 EARLY HISTORY DEVT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

a fine point, amounts to simply child's play. This trouble can 
be remedied very easy. If a comrade is so situated that he can 
attend to the' various committee meetings, &c. , and not have to 
lose his time, and will accept such appointments, I think that the 
Post should feel under obligations to him for doing their work, 
and not say, as I have heard some members say, "such-and- 
such a man is always on committees." My experience has been, 
that committee business is hard work ; and if you can get com- 
rades that are willing to do it, and do it well, let theu^ do it. 

A few words about the first grand object of our organization. 
I find a decided improvement since last year. Posts are getting 
to visit one another, and much good feeling between the different 
Posts is the result. 

In this connection, I desire to refer to the series of enter- 
tainments recently instituted by several Posts in this Department, 
most appropriately called "Camp-Fires." In the judgment of 
the Inspector, these social occasions fill a want long felt in our 
Department, and serve to acquaint the members of the several 
Posts more thoroughly with one another. To Post 113 belongs 
the credit of first organizing these entertainments, which have 
been adopted by many other Posts, and with a marked result. 
The interest of the comrades in the Order seems not a little 
enhanced by them, and I cordially commend them to the atten- 
tion of the Department. 

In regard to the grand object of our organization, — the 
relief of our suffering comrades and their widows and orphans, — 
too much cannot be said. I would that it were in my poAver to 
explain to this Convention the great amount of good that the 
Posts in this Department have done the past year. I can see no 
reason why any comrades or their families should suffer, in this 
State, if they are worthy to receive relief. Many of the Posts 
have the Relief fund kept entirely separate from the Post fund, 
and I would recommend that all Posts do so. Comrades will 
also find that they will get much valuable information in regard 
to keeping this fund by visiting different Posts. 

In thus hastily reviewing these general outlines, I am happy 
to congratulate this Department on the steady increase of the 
Grand Army of the Republic in Massachusetts. 

In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge the services of the 
Assistant Inspectors, and to thank them for the zeal, ability, and 
fraternal feeling that has characterized their official intercourse 
with this Department. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

In F. , C, and L., 

CHAS. O. WELCH, 
Inspector DejKtrtinent of Massacluisetts^ G.A.R. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 91 

All of the above were accepted, and copies requested for 
publication. 

A communication relative to the securing of portraits of 
fallen comrades lately contained in the Schwabe Gallery, to be 
kept always at Department Headquarters, was introduced, and 
tabled. 

Delegates to National Encampment were instructed to use 
all means in their power to have Sect. 3, Art. I., Chap. V., 
altered so as to read, " All property of the Department shall be 
turned over to the Department Headquarters." 

Voted to proceed to an informal ballot for Commander. 

Result:— H. R. Sibley .S9 

A. B. Underwood ... 70 

H. S. Briogs 42 

Wm. Cogswell .... 22 
Comrade Cogswell remarked that be had from the first dis- 
countenanced the use of his name in connection with a re-election, 
and that he could not, in good faith, allow its use. 
Comrade Brig<;s withdrew his name. 
The formal ballot for Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 238 

Jsecessary for a choice 120 

H. R. Sibley had . . . 121 
A. B. Underwood . . . 114 

H. S. Briggs 3 

And Comrade Sibley's election was made unanimous. 
The ballot for S. V. C. resulted as follows : — 
Luke Wyjian 1 



2 

71 

113 



unanimous. 



A. B. Underwood 
J. W. Kimball . . 
AY. S. B. Hopkins . 
And Comrade Hopkins's election was made 
J. V. C. ballot gave — 

J. G. B. Adams .... 6 

W. S. Cobb 18 

G. A. Churchill • . . 174 
And Comrade Churchill's election was made unanimous. 

The JNIedical Director, Chaplain, Members of the Council of 
Administration, Delegates and Alternates to the National Encamp- 
ment, were all unanimously elected, and their names have already 
been published. 



92 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The Commander, S. V. C, and J. V. C. elect were then 
presented to the Convention, and each made a few remarks. 

A resolution of thanks to Commander Cogswell and retiring 
officers was passed by a rising vote, and six cheers for Comrade 
Cogswell, who responded with a few well-chosen words. 

The thanks of the Convention were extended to Post 16 for 
their generous collation ; also to the Boston & Albany Railroad 
for free return tickets. 

Voted to accept the invitation of Post 26, to hold the next 
Encampment at Boston Highlands. 

The following circular was then read : — 

At a regular meeting of Post No. JS, G.A.R. , held Dec. 20th, 1871, 
the committee chosen at a previous meeting to devise the best ways and 
means whereby needy soldiers, sailors, or marines, who united to sup- 
press the late rebellion, or the widows and orphans of those who have 
fallen, may receive relief from cities and towns Avithont making applica- 
tion in the usual form as town paupers, reported the following, which 
was adopted : — 

Whereas, under the present laws of Massachusetts, the widows 
and orphans of deceased soldiers, also disabled soldiers, needing town 
aid, are compelled to make application in the usual form as town pau- 
pers ; and 

Whereas, in nearly every city and town in the Commonwealth, 
among the inducements held out to men to enlist, the promise was freely 
made, that under no possible circumstance should the soldier or his 
family be reduced to this degradation ; and 

Whereas, it seems to us to be highly important that the members 
of the Grand Army of the Republic should unite in a petition to the 
Legislature to frame such laws as in their judgment will best secure to 
the above class of persons such aid and in such manner as will comport 
with their feelings of self-respect • 

We, therefore, respectfully request, that you will cause the enclosed 
petition to be circulated among the members of your Post, and returned 
to us as soon as possible. 

FRANK A. WALL, 

BENJ. G. BROWN, J- Committee. 

JAS. H. DADMUN, 

Ashland, Jan. 8, 1872. 



Voted to recommend to the different Posts the necessity of 
taking action in accordance with the above ; — Post Adjutants to 
be instructed to forward a list of all rejected applicants to De- 
partment Headquarters, to be published m General Orders. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 93 

The delegates to National Encampment were instructed to 
use all reasonable means to reduce the dues from Department 
and National Headquarters. 

The Council of Administration was instructed to fix the ofiice 
hours of Department Headquarters. 
Voted to adjourn. 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
_ Assistant Adjutant- General. 



94 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1871. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
366 Washington Street, Room 4 
Boston, Jan. 21, 18 



;,:i 



General Orders "I 

No. 1. / 

I. The undersiiinecl having been duly elected Commander of this 
Department, hereby assumes command, with Headquarters as above. 

II. Comrade Henry B. Peirce is hereijy appointed Assistant 
Adjutant-General, and, having accepted the office, Avill be obeyed and 
respected accordingly. All communications connected with the Adjutant's 
or Quartermaster-General's departments will be addressed to iiim. 

III. The-following named Comrades have been duly elected 
officers of this Department for the ensuing year : — 



Salem, 

Charlestown, 

Cambridgeport, 

SpringHeld, 

Pitts tield, 

Charlestown, 

Lowell, 

Worcester, 

New Bedford, 

Chelsea, 

Weymouth, 

East Boston, 

Newton, 

Lawrence, 

Salem, 

Worcester, 

Boston, 

Boston (Dor.), 

Fitchburg, 

Boston Highlands, 

Springfield, 

Pittsfield, 



Commander. 

Senior Vice-Commander. 

Junior Vice-Commander. 

Medical Director. 

Chaplain. 

Council of Administration. 



Delegate at Large to Nat. Enc. 
to Nat. Encampment. 



Wm. Cogswell, 
Wm. Spaulding, 
S. E. Chamberlain, 
A. R. Rice, 
Miles Sanford, 
Henry R. Sibley, 
W. O. Fiske, 
J. A. Titus, 
W. S. Cobb, 
W. P. Drury, 
James L. Bates, 
J. H Barnes, 
A. B. Underwood, 
Geo. S. Merrill, 
Geo. H. Peirson, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 
G. S. Worcester, 
C. B. Fox, 
J. W. Kimball, 
S Burrill, 
H. M. Phillips, 
H. S. Briggs, 

IV. The Assistant Adjutant-General's office will be open daily 
from 10 to 12, and from 2 to -i, except Saturdays, Avhen it will be closed 
in the afternoon. 

V. The announcement of the Staff will be made hereafter. 

WM. COGSWELL, 

Official : Commander. 

Henry B. Peirce, 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 95 



Headquarter;^ Dei'T. ok Mass., G.A.R., "| 
30(5 Washington Sthekt, Room 4, j- 
Genekal Oi:ders\ Boston, Feb. 13, 1871. J 

No. 2. / 

I. The annual meeting? of the Department was held at Lowell, Jan. 
18, 1871, Commander James L. Bates presldln<>;. Two hundred and 
twenty-nine Delegates were present, representin.ii 102 Posts. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General's report was read, showing: — 

Number of Tosts, Dec. 31, 1809 117 

" members, Dec. 31, 18G'J 8,909 

" Posts, Dec. 31, 1870 142 

" members, Dec. 31, 1870 11,004 

" admitted by muster during the year, over . 3,000 

" gained by suspension 373 

" lost by suspension 1,638 

" gained by transfer 226 

" lost by transfer 339 

" died 73 

" honorably discharged 99 

' ' of persons and families aided, so far as reported, 1 ,723 
of which not more than 2.5 per cent were members of the Order. The 
report also shows the Department to be in a flourishing condition, 
although the dirterent reports from Posts are, in too many instances, 
not made promptly, and in some cases not correct!}'. 

The Assistant Quartermaster-General's report Avas read, showing 

amount received during the yenr . $3,713 80 

Amount expended 2,812.10 

Cash on hand •. §901.70 

Amount due from Posts $228.46 

Value of propc-rty on hand 489.81 718.27 

$1,619.97 
Estimated indebtedness of Department .... 1,500.00 

Balance $119.97 

The reports of Medical Director, Chaplain, and Inspector Avere 
read, the latter showing that \vhile a good state of discipline existed in 
the Department, yet some improvement could be made in the working 
under the Uitual. 

At noon, B. F. Butler Post 42 provided the Convention Avith a 
generous collation at Jackson Hall, for Avhlcli a vote of thanks was 
passed . 

National and Department oHicers were invited to take seats upon 
the platform. 

Tlie report of the Council that it was inexpedient to submit a plan 
as to prices to be paid to bands Avas accepted, and the matter Avas laid 
on the table. 

The report of tlie Committee on the Ritual, recommending one 
grade, Avas adopted, and the tlelegates Avere instructed to urge the same 
at the next National Encampment. 

For election of ofliccrs, see General Orders No. 1. 

It Avas voted to liold the next meeting at South Boston, if a July 
convention should be called, and that the next annual meeting be held at 
Si)ringrield. 

A set of resolutions denouncing a recent attempt in the U.S. Senate 
to remove the remains of our fallen comrades buried in the National 



96 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. Of MASS., G.A.R. 



Cemetery on the Arlington estate, in order that the estate might be 
restored to its original owners, and applauding those senators who 
defeated such an attempt, was adopted ; and it was voted to forward 
a copy of the same to National Headquarters. 

A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Commander, Comrade 
James L. Bates, for the able, efficient, and impartial manner in which 
he had discharged his duties during the year. 

Voted, That the address of the Commander be printed and a copy 
forwarded to the Posts in the Department. 

A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Department officers. 

Resolutions regarding organization and a l5epartment parade were 
referred to the Council of Administration. 

II. The following letter from James L. Bates, Past Commander 
of this Department, explains itself : — 

Boston, Feb. 1, 1871. 
Henry B. Peirck, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Department of Mass., G.A.R. 

Comrade : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
favor of the 30th ult., asking for manuscript of my address, intended 
for Department Convention, that the vote of the Convention may be 
complied Avith by having the same published. 

The address Avas written for the Convention, and contained recom- 
mendations and suggestions upon Avhich action was asked. Inasmuch 
as no opportunity for its delivery was given by the Convention, the 
occasion seems to have passed when its presentation to the Department 
would be proper. It might seem like post-mortem advice to the ncAV 
administration -to publish now that which the parliamentary body of the 
Department has not stamped with its approval. 

If the address had been delivered, and had met the approval of the 
Convention, I should deem the vote to have it published as a high com- 
pliment. I am happy to acknowledge the courtesy of the comrades in 
ordering the printing of the same, Avithout a hearing, but must decline 
to furnish the manuscript, for the reasons given. 

Ileciprocating your sentiments of esteem, I am, Comrade, 
Yours truly, in F., C, and L., 

JAMES L. BATES. 

III. Post Commanders Avill forA\'ard to these Headquarters, at 
once, a complete report of the amount of money receiAxd from all 
sources for charitable purposes; also, the amount paid out from all 
sources to aid soldiers and their families during the year 1870. Posts 
that have received and paid nothing Avill report accordingly. 

IV. Hereafter the price of badges Avill be : For single ones, .$1.25 
each; ten or more in one order, $1.15 each. One to four badges can be 
sent by mail on receipt of price ; larger orders can be forAvarded by 
express, C.O.D., or the money may accompany the order. 

********* 

VI. The folloAving Comrades are announced upon the Stall" of the 
Commander : — 

W. S. Cireenough, Boston, Asst. Q.M.-Gen. 

Chas. O. Welch, Cambridge, Inspector. 

(P.O., 11(5 Tremont Street, Boston.) 
C. F. Walcott, Cambridge, Judge Advocate. 

Luke Lyman, Northampton, Aide. 

Samuel Dalton, Salem, " 

Wm. H. Lawrence, E. Boston, " 

Chas. II. Chase, Salem, " 

Wm. B. Sears, Boston Highlands, " 

II. A. Cushman, Taunton, Assistant Inspector. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



97 



W. H. Cunningham, South Boston, Assistant Inspector. 
Byron Porter, Springtielcl, " " 

H. A. Brown, Northampton, " " 

Frederick Grant, Salem, " " 

They Avill be oljeyed and respected accordingly. 

VII. A list of Posts in this Department, together -with the title, 
name of Commander, and night of meeting, is appended for the con- 
venience of Posts and Comrades. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ROSTER DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, G A.R., 1871. 



Wm. Cogswell, 
Wm. Spanldiug, 
S. E. Chamberlain, 
A. R. Rice, 
Miles Sanford, 
Henry R. Sibley, 
W. O. Fiske, 
J. A. Titus, 
W. S. Cobb, 
W. P. Drury, 

Henry B. Peirce, 
W. S. Greenough, 
Chas. O. Welch, 

C. F. Walcott, 
Luke Lyman, 
Samuel Dalton, 
Wm. H. Lawrence, 
Chas. H. Chase, 
Wm. B. Sears, 
H. A. Cushnian, 
W. H. Cunningham, 
Byron Porter, 
n. A. Brown, 
Frederick Grant, 



Commander. 

Senior Vice-Commander. 

Junior Vice-Conmiander. 

Medical Director. 

Chaplain. 

Council of Administration. 



Salem, 

Charlestown, 

Cambridgeport, 

Springfield, 

Pittstield, 

Charlestown, 

Lowell, 

Worcester, 

New Bedford, 

Chelsea, 



Al'l'OIXTEI). 

Abington, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Boston, Asst. Q.M.-Gen. 

Cambridge, Inspector 

(P.O , IIG Tremont Street, Boston.) 



Cambridge, 

Northampton, 

Salem, 

East Boston, 

Salem, 

Boston Highlands, 

Taunton, 

S. Boston, 

SpringlieUl, 

Northampton, 

Salem, 



Judge Advocate. 
Aide. 



Assistant Inspector. 



Xamc of I'ost. 

1 Wm. I^ogan liudman, 

2 «>. \V. I'eaboily, 
.3 W. II. Haitlett, 

4 U. S. Grant, 

5 V,Gn. Lamler, 

t> Powell T. Wynian, 

7 Chas. Kussell Lowell, 

S K. \Y. Pierce, 

9 Keno, 

10 Geo. II. Ward, 

11 Abraham Lincoln, 



POSTS. 

Commander. 
Frank II. Forbes, 
S. L. Lewis, 
Abner Coleman, 
Frank T. Palmer, 
.John (i. B. .\dams, 
A. K. c;hanibeilain, 
Wni. H. Cundy, 

(P.O., Old State Hou 
James E. Cushman, 
J. \V. Pedri.k, 
E. P. Halsted, 
Geo. 11. LoHK, 



se) 



Town. 

New ISi'dford, 

Nantucket, 

Tauntiui, 

Melrose, 

Lynn, 

Holliston, 

Boston, 

^liddleboro, 
Iluil^un, 
Worcester, 
Charlestown, 



Evening of 
Afeetiiuf. 
Wednesdav. 
1st and 3d Sat. 
Thursday. 
Alt. Mondays. 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 
Friday. 

Saturday. 
Wednesday. 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 



98 



EAKLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 











Evenino of 




Name of Post. 


Comma7ider. 


Toum. 


Meeting. 


12 


Warren, 


R. L. Murklaud, 


Wakefield, 


2d and 4th Mon. 


13 


Fletcher Webster, 


Geo. W. Leach, 


N. Bridgewater, 


Wednesday. 


U 


Lieut. C. C. Phillips, 


C. E. Wheeler, 


Hopkinton, 


Monday. 


IT) 


John A. Andrew, 


Geo. S. Worcester, 


Boston, 


Wednesday. 


le 


K. K. Wilcox, 


S. C. Warrimer, 


Springfield, 


2d and 4th Fri. 


17 




Rulus Livermore, 


Orange, 


Tuesday. 


18 


Prescott, 


G. C. Fisk, 


Ashland, 


Wednesday. 


lit 


E. V. Sumner, 


John W. Kimball, 


Fitchburg, 


Tuesday. 


'20 
'21 
22 


Munroe, 


A. S. Graton, 


Paxton, 


2d Monday. 


Maj. E. F. Fletcher. 


Daniel E. Spencer, 


Mil ford, 


Wednesday. 


23 


Jos. Hooker, 


Samuel M. Weale, 


E. Boston, 


Tuesday. 


24 


A. B. R. Sprague, 


L. S. Clark, 


Grafton, 


Last Monday. 


25 




Andrew J. Searle, 


Uxbridge, 


l^t and SdTiies. 


2(i 


Thos. G. Stevenson, 


Giles H. Rich, 


Boston Highlands, 


Monday. 


27 


Chas. Devens, Jr., 


L. T. Emerson, 


Oxford, 


Tuesday. 


28 


Geo. D. Wells, 


T. E. Sargent, 


Oaktlale, 


IMonday. 


20 


F. P. H. Rogers, 


H. G. Sherman, 


Waltham, 


IstandSdThurs. 


30 


Wm. H. .<*inart. 


Jos. W. Smith, 


Cambndgeport, 


Thursdav. 


31 


S. A.Taylor, 


A. C. Thompson, 


Ashournhaui, 


2(1 and 4th Mon. 


32 


Washington, 


Chas. A. Cunningham, 


S. r>oston. 


Wednesday. 


33 


Burbank, 


Albert S. Leslie, 
(P.O., Centre) 


Woburn, 


Thursday. 


34 


Phil. H. Sheridan, 


James G. Bovey, 


Salem, 


Tuesday. 


35 


Tlieo. Winthrop, 


Henry Wilson, Jr., 


Chelsea, 


Tuesday. 


3(i 


E. M. Stanton, 


J. L. Skinner, 


Amherst, 


1st and .3d Tues. 


37 


F. A . Stearns, 


John W. Bigelow, 


Spencer, 


1st and 3d Fri. 


38 


Dexter, 


Artenias D. Ward, 


Brookfield, 


1st and 3d Tues. 


39 


Needham, 


L. N. Duchesney, 


Lawrence, 


Wednesday. 


40 


Lincoln, 


F. A. Bicknell, 


N. Weymouth, 


Monday. 


41 


Lyon, 


S. H. Perrv, 


Westfleld, 


Alt. Tuesdays. 


42 


Benj. F. Butler, 


Jared P. Maxfleld, 


Lowell, 


Thursday. 


43 


J. A. Rawlins, 


C. F. Morse, 


Marlboro, 


Tuesday. 


44 


Wm. L. Baker, 


H. M. Converse, 


Northampton, 


Friday. 


45 


Col. Allen, 


Geo. Elwell, Jr., 


Gloucester, 


Thursday. 


46 


Richard P>orden, 


E. T. Marvell, 


Fall River, 


Thursday. 


47 


Major Howe, 


A. M. Tilton, 


Haverhill, 


Tuesday. 


48 


Geo. S. Boulwell, 


Geo. W. Creasey, 


Newburyport, 


Friday. 


49 
50 
51 


A. W. Bartlett, 


George V. Barrett, 


Grotou Junction, 


Thursday. 


Ezra Batcheller, 


H. S. Johnson, 


N. Brookfield, 


Thursday. 


52 


A. B. Randall, 


G. Hubert Bates, 


N. Easton, 


2d and last Sat. 


53 


C. H. Stevens, 


F. W. Polley, 


Leominster, 


Thurs., monthly. 


54 


John B. Gough, 


S. E. Fuller, 


Berlin, 


Friday. 


55 


Malcolm Ammidown, 


O. P. Stone, 


South bridge, 


Alt. Thursdays. 


56 


Chas. Beck, 


James A. Munroe, 
(P.O., 20 DockSquar 


Cambridge, 

e^ 


Monday. 


57 


P. Stearns Davis, 


Geo. H. Howard, 


E. Cambridge, 


Wednesday. 


58 


Reynolds, 


Chas. W. Hastings, 


Weymouth, 


Alt. Tuesdays. 


59 




Geo. W. Rockwood, 


Sterling Centre, 


1st and 3d Thurs, 


60 




Rouse R. Clark, 


Whitinsville, 


2d and 4th Mon. 


61 


Nathaniel Lyon, 


J. H. Marshall, 


Webster, 


2d and 4tli Fri. 


62 


Charles Ward, 


Geo. F. Brackett, 


Newton, 


2d Tuesday. 


63 


Gen. Wadsworth, 


Royal T. Nash, 


Natick, 


Tuesday. 


64 


E. D. Baker, 


A. S. Davidson, 


Clinton, 


2(1 and 4th W^ed. 


65 


Clara Barton, 


F. H. Moore, 


Warren, 


3d Wednesday. 


66 


S. C. Lawrence, 


John Hutchins, 


Medford, 


Alt. Mondays. 


67 


Allen, 


H. F. H. Miller, 


Manchester, 


Wednesday. 


68 


Benj. Stone, Jr., 


Jos. T. Ward, Jr., 
(P.O., Neponset) 


Dorchester, 


1st and 3d Thurs. 


69 


Jos. E Rice, 


Edw. S. Kendall, 


"Westminster, 


Alt. Saturdays. 


70 


Phil. Kearney, 


W. M. Coney, 


Franklin, 


Tuesday. 


71 


Kilpatrick, 


Wm. Shaftoe, 


Holyoke, 


Tuesday. 


72 


A. St. John Chanibre, 


A. St. John Chambre, 


Stoughton, 


2d and 4th Tues, 


73 


McPherson, 


Henry B. Peirce, 


Abington, 


Wednesday. 


74 


Hartsuff, 


I>ewis Reed, 


E. Abington, 


Alt. Mondays. 


75 


J. P. Gould, 


W m. H. Hurd, 


Stoneham, 


Alt. Tuesdays. 


76 


Collingwood, 


Chas. B. Stoddard, 


Plymouth, 


W^ednesday. 


77 


Theron E. Hall, 


John E. Schofield, 


Holden, 


1st Saturday. 


78 


David A. Russell, 


Isaac W. Giles, 


S. Abington, 


1st Tuesday. 


79 


Chas. D. Sanford, 


Geo. H. Kearn, 


N. Adams, 


Friday. 


SO 
81 
82 


Joseph Miller, 


Chas. L. Moody, 


S. Hadiey, 


Alt. Saturdays. 


John Goodwin, Jr., 


Thos. Swasey, Jr., 


Marblehead, 


Thursday. 


83 


Joseph E. Wilder, 


Geo. B. Oldham, 


S. Hanover, 


Last Thursday. 


84 


J. G. Foster, 


Wm. H. Lounsbury, 


Maiden, 


Friday. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



99 



Xante of Post. 

85 J. W. Lawton, 

SG Henry Wilson, 

87 Gen. S. Thayer, 

8S Paul Revere, 

89 J. H. Chipnian, 

90 Ward, 

91 E. 1*. Carpenter, 
02 G. C Strong, 

93 Ozro Miller, 

94 Revere. 

95 E. W. Hinks, 
96 

97 John A. Logan, 

98 W. W. Rockwell, 
99 

100 Gen. Wm. Cosrawell, 

101 L. B. Scluvabe, 

lo-j .1. Cushiiifi' Kdniands, 

103 oiis Cliaimian, 

104 Kdwin Humphrey, 

105 Wilder Dwight, 
10« Otis W. Wallace, 

107 Uurnside, 

lOS E. E. Peabody, 

109 Ericsson, 

110 Horace Nile?, 

111 Jos. E. Simmons, 

112 Gen. Chas. Griffin, 

113 E. W. Kinsley, 

114 C. R. Mudge, 
115 

1 16 D. G. Farragut, 
117 

118 Gen. J. L. Bates, 

119 J. L. Mathews, 

120 ?:dwin E. l>ay, 

121 H. A. Darling, 

122 E. P. Wallace, 

123 Parker, 

124 J. Diniick, 

125 N. B. Shurtleff, 

126 Geo. E. Sayles, 

127 Theo. L. Bonney, 

128 Ryder, 
129 

130 E. P. Hopkins, 

131 Geo. H. Thomas, 
1.32 

133 

134 Robert P.ell, 

135 Capt. Isaac Davis, 

136 Maj. G. C. Marshall, 
137 

138 Winfield Scott, 

139 Willarcl C. Kinsley, 

140 J. Arthur Johnson, 

141 Jesse A. Gove, 

142 D. R. Eanies, 

143 Chas. L. Chandler, 



Commander. 
II. M. Coney, 
Geo. IJoocock, 
James M. Stevens, 
William (i. Sheen, 
Wm. R. Driver, 
AV. Winslow Eaton, 
E. P. Jewett, 
C. E. Ware, 
H. P.. Kowley, 
John I). P.illinps, 
Chas. H. Mansfield, 
Henry Kinney, 
I^. Cass Lawrence, 
Henry S. Briggs, 
E. W.(;ill, 
E. G. Hull, 
Nathaniel E. I-add, 
Coburn S. Smith, 
A. O. Kinney, 
Peter N. S|)fague, 
(;. E. Pond, 
.Story D. Pool, 

(P.O., Pigeon Cove) 
Toyman Woodward, 
Chauncv O. Noyes, 
J. W. Felt, 
H.C. Alden, 
J. E. Sherman, 

(P.O., N. Marshfield) 
Wm. O. Merritt, 
J. Edw. Hollis, 

(366 Washington St.) 
R. G. W. Foster, 

J. W. Clapp, 
Geo. INI. Fiske, 
S. F. Douglas, 
J. L. Mathews, 
W. S. B. Hopkins, 
Fergus A. Easton, 
Jas. W. Goodrich, 
F. F. Fay, 
W. H. Osborne, 
Wm. W. Doherty, 

(P.O., 2.')8 Broadway) 
Jonas \. Chainpuey, 
B. S. Bryant, 
Jas. A. Small, 

Richard Welch, 
John D. Cogswell, 
Robert S. Daniels, 

Geo. C. Patterson, 
Lemuel Poi)e, 

(P.O., S. Acton) 
Chas. R. Bartlett, 

John A. Wal.sh, 
(P. O., West) 
Charles F. King, 
Frank H. Gleason, 
Edw. .\. Brown, 
Chas. H. Fuller, 
Geo. P. Richardson, 



Toun. 
Ware, Hampshire, 
.\ssabet, 
S. Braintree, 
(^nin(!y, 
Beverly, 
Dan vers, 
Foxboro, 
E. Hampton, 
Shelburne Falls, 
Canton, 
Saugus, 
Northborough, 
Auburn, 
Pittslield, 
Princ^eton, 
Ipswich, 
Groveland, 
Billerica, 
Chicojiee, 
Hing'ham, 
W. Medway, 
Rockport, 

Hubbardston, 
Georgetown, 
E. Temi)leton, 
Randolph, 
Duxbury, 

S. Scituate, 
Boston, 

W. Aniesbury, 

Lee. 

Gardner, 

Medfield, 

Swanipscott, 

S. Hadley Falls, 

Greenfield, 

Hyde Park, 

Amesbury, 

Athol, 

E. Bridge water, 

S. Boston, 

S. Adams, 
N. Hanson, 
I'rovincetown, 

Williamstown, 

Leicester, 

Peabody, 

N. Attleboro. 

Boston, 

Acton, 

Rutland, 

Gt. Barrington. 

Wareham, 

Somerville, 

Sturbridge, 

Fall River, 

.S. Framingham, 

Brookline. 



Event mi of 
Meet in ff. 
2d and 4th Weil. 
Alt. Wedn'days. 
Tuesiiay. 
Alt. Tuesdays. 
Thursday. 
IMonday." 
2d and 4th Thurs. 
1st and 3d Fri. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
Last Thursday. 
2d and 4th Mon. 
1st Monday. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
1st and 3(1 Mon. 
1st Monday. 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 
Alt. Saturdays. 
Thursday. 
1st and 3d Thurs. 
Friday. 
Thursday. 

Alt. Tuesday?. 

2d and last Thurs 

Friday. 

1st ancl 3d Fri. 

Ist and 3d Sat. 

2d and 4th Mon. 
Monday. 

2d Wednesday. 

Wednesday. 

Last Saturday. 

Friday. 

Alt. Tuesdays. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

Tuesday. 

Wednesday. 

Thursday. 

1st Thursday. 

2d and 4th Wed. 

Wednesday. 
2d Tuesday. 
Alt. Tuesdays. 

1st and 3d Wed. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
Monday. 

Thursday. 
Alt. ISlondays. 

Last Saturday. 

Saturday. 

Wednesday. 
Monday. 
Friday'. 
Wednesday. 



L.ofC. 



100 EARLY IlISTOKY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



JARTERS Dept. OP Mass., G.A.R., 1 

Washington Strekt, Room 4, l 

Boston, March 20, 1871. j 



Headquarters Dept. op Mass., G.A.R. 
36G 
General Orders \ 

No. 3. / 

I. The Council of Administration have voted that it is inexpedient 
to hold a Department parade in May, and desire to know the feeling of 
the several Posts in relation to the matter, before further action. Post 
Commanders will therefore bring this subject before their Posts at the 
next regular meeting after receiving this order, and forward the result 
as soon as possible. Information is particularly desired: 1st, as to the 
expediency of a parade; 2d, as to the time; od, as to probable number 
who would be present from each Post if parade should be ordered. 
********* 

III. The following-named Comrades have been appointed Assistant 
Inspectors, in addition to the list published in General Orders No. 2 : — 



F. B. Smith of Post No. 


2 


Edw. L. Noyes 


of Post 49 


Wm. Woods 






7 


A. St. John Chambre " 72 


A. M. Parker 






10 


J. B. Studley 


" 74 


James F. Meech 






10 


J. R. Drew 


" 76 


Walter A. Fames 






19 


John Corthell 


" 112 


P. C. II. Belcher 






22 


F. C. Choate 


" 125 




James 


A. 


Small of Post 128 





They Avill be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



.71.1 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
366 Washington Strekt, Room 4, 
General Orders) Boston, May 15, 187 

No. 4. / 

I. Article XIV., Chapter V., of the Revised Rules and Regulations, 
establishes the thirtieth day of May, annually, unless the same shall 
occur on Sunday, as Memorial Day; and in compliance therewith, Post 
Commanders will at once proceed to make the necessary arrangements 
for the proper observance of that now sacred day. Gladly Ave welcome 
the approach of this occasion, when throughout the country is paid the 
just tribute of the living to the heroic dead; let us — 

" Honor and praise, but mourn them not." 
Posts will be careful to carry out this observance on the day estab- 
lished, to wit. : the 30th day of May. 

II. Full reports of the proceedings of each Post, with copies of 
addresses, orations, etc., will be forwarded to this Office for publication 
in book form. 

III. Commanders whose Posts do not take part in the ceremonies of 
the day, will report the fact to these Headciuarters, Avith the reason why. 

IV. It is hereby ordered that, upon all occasions of ceremony, 
Post officers shall appear Avith side arms. All comrades should Avear 
the National badge of our Order. Commanders avIU comply, as far as 
practicable, Avith the requirements of Article IX., Chapter V., Rules and 
Regulations. By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjuta7it- General. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 101 



Heapqxtarteus Dept. of Mass., G.A.lt., 
30G Washingtox Stheet, Uoom 4, 
General Orders \ Boston, June 13, 1871. 

No. 5. / 

II. The semi-anmml reports and dues from Posts, will be due July 
1 ; and all Posts Avho are in arrears for the same on the 15th of that 
month Avill be so reported to the National Encampment. The Adjutant's 
and Quartermaster's reports must be forwarded together, and Post 
Commanders will see that they agree in " Total number of Members," 
and "Number of Veterans mustered during quarter"; also, that the 
Quartermasters forward Avith their reports the amount due Headquarters 
for badges, books, blanks, etc. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henky B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistajit Adjutant-General. 



LSs., G.A.R., I 
r, Room 4, I 
ug. 21, 1871. ) 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
36G Washington Street, 
Circular \ Boston, Auj 

No. 1. / 

I. The Commander has received an invitation from the City of 
Boston, for " such Posts as may desire," to join in the ceremonies of 
laying the corner-stone of the Soldiers Monument, in Boston, on the 
18th day of September next; and this invitation is hereby extended to 
the ditterent Posts of this Department. 

Music will be furnished by the City. 

It is hoped that such Posts as intend to avail themselves of this 
opportunity to pay their tribute to the great services of the soldiers 
of Boston who fell in defense of a common country, will notify these 
Headquarters without delay. 

II. The Rules and Regulations, with amendments appended, are 
now ready for issue, at .$5.00 per hundred. Every comrade should be 
furnished with a copy. Posts having a supply of the Rules of 1870 
will be furnished with a corresponding number of amendments, gratis, 
upon application, stating the uuml)er re<|uired. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
36G Washington Stkekt, Room 4, 
General Orders \ Boston, Sept. 1, 1871. 

No. 7. J 

I. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors: E. (". Whitney of Post 43, and C. M. Newton of Post 38. 
They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

II. This Department is hereby divided into Inspection Districts, 
as folloAvs : — 

The First District will embrace Posts 4, 7, 11, 12, 15, 21, 23, 2G, 
29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 40, 42, 5G, 57, 58, G2, GG, C>8, 75, 84, 87, 88, 102, 113, 121, 



102 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



12«5, 184, 139, 143 and 144, and will be under the immediate charge of the 
Department Inspector, assisted by Comrades Wni. Woods, W. H. 
Cunningham, and F. C. Choate, Assistant Inspectors. 

Second District: Posts 5, 34, 82, 89, 90, 95, 100, 118, and 132. F. 
Grant, Salem, Assistant Inspector. 

Tliird District: Posts 39, 45, 47, 49, G7, 101, 100, 108, 114, and 122. 
E. L. Noyes, Newburvport, Assistant Inspector. 

Fourth District": Posts 1, 3, 8, 40, 133, 141, and 145. H. A. Cush- 
man, Taunton, Assistant Inspector. 

Fifth District: Posts 73, 74, 78, 83, 104, 112, 127, and 129. John 
Corthell, S. Scituate, Assistant Inspector. 

Sixth District: Posts 13, 52, 72, 91, 94, and 110. A. St. John 
Chambre, Stoughton, Assistant Inspector. 

Seventh District: Posts 6, 14, 18, 22, 03, 70, 1(I5, 117, and 142. 
P. C. 11. Belcher, Milford, Assistant Inspector. 

Eighth District : Posts 9, 43, 48, 54, 04, 80, and 135. E. C. Whitney, 
Marlboro', Assistant Inspector. 

Ninth District: Posts 10, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, .55, 60, 01, 77, 97, 99, 
107, 131, and 136. A. M. Parker and James F. Meech, Worcester, As- 
sistant Inspectors. 

Tenth District: Posts 17, 19, 31, 50, 53, 59, 09, 90, 109, 110, and 
123. Walter A. Fames, Fitchburg^ Assistant Inspector. 

Eleventh District: Posts 37, 38, 51, 05, 81, 85, and 140. C. M. 
Newton, Brookfleld, Assistant Inspector. 

Twelfth District: Posts 16, 41, 71, and 103. Byron Porter, Spring- 
field, Assistant Inspector. 

Thirteenth District: Posts 30, 44, 80, 92, 93, 119, and 120. II. A. 
Brown, Northampton, Assistant Inspector. 

Fourteenth District : Posts 79, 98, 115, 120, 130, and 137. Assistant 
Inspector not yet appointed. 

Posts 70, 111, and 124 will be under cliarge of J. R. Drew, Ply- 
mouth, Assistant Inspector. 

Post 2 will be under cliarge of F. B. Smith, Nantucket, Assistant 
Inspector. 

Post 128 will be under charge of J. A. Small, Provincetown, 
Assistant Inspector. 

III. With the adoption of tlie new Ritual, and the forming of 
Inspection Districts, it is hoped that comrades, and particularly ofticers 
of Posts, will make every exertion to perfect themselves in the new 
Avork. It is liighly important that the working of the Ritual should be 
uniform and systematic throughout the Department; and to this end, 
Assistant Inspectors are enjoined to visit whenever necessary the dif- 
ferent Posts of their districts, to see that the Ritual is worked out in 
due form, that tlie books are properly kept, the Rules and Regulations 
observed, etc., etc., to consult Avith the Department Inspector, and to 
make full and careful reports; while Commanders of Posts are directed 
to confer freely with the Inspector of their district in all matters requir- 
ing their aid and instruction. 

IV. Comrade C. O. Welch, Department Inspector, is charged with 
the execution of Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this order. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peikck, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



SIXTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 103 



Headquautkrs Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"| 
366 Washington Stkkkt, Room 4. >■ 
Circular) Boston, Sept. 9, isTl.j 

No. 2. / 

A large number of Posts, having accepted the invitation of the 
City of Boston to tal<e part in tlie ceremonies of laying the corner-stone 
of the Soldiers IMonnment, on the 18th inst., it has been deemed advisa- 
ble to issue this circular for the information and instruction of all 
concerned. 

The Post will be divided into two divisions, under charge of the 
Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders respectively, the whole under com- 
mand of the Department Commander. 

Each division will be divided into three sub-divisions, each sub- 
division to be under command of the Senior Post Commander present. 
A band of music will be furnished to each sub-division. 
Commanders of Posts will report to the Assistant Adjutant-General 
of the Department, at the corner of Beacon and Arlington Streets, at 
12.30 o'clock P.M. 

Department Ileadtiuarters will be known by the white State colors. 
Post will appear in dark clothes (citizens'), with G.A.K. or forage 
cap; or in U.S. regulation blouse and belt, Avith same cap; and no other 
uniform will be worn. 

Post will march in the procession according to their numerical 
order. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"| 

366 Washington Stref.t, Room 4, >- 

General Orders") Boston, Dec. 11, 1871. J 

No. 8. i 

I. The annual Encampment of this Department will be held in the 
hall of E. K. Wilcox Post No. 16, in Massachusetts Life Insurance Com- 
pany Block, Main Street, Springfield, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1872, at 
12 o'clock m., for the election of Department officers and such other 
business as may come before it. Delegates should come prepared for 
an evening session. 

Attention is called to the following vote of the July Encampment, 
1.S70: — 

"It was voted. That the Commander of this Department be in- 
structed to require the semi-annual reports and dues of Posts to be 
forwarded not later tlian the first of each month next succeeding the 
close of the fjuarter for which they are made ; and on the eighth of such 
month notice be sent to each Post (^ommander and also to one Delegate 
from each Post in arrears at tiie date of such deficiency ; and that unless 
all reports and dues are immediately received, the delegates from those 
Posts will l>e rigorously excluded from the Encampment ; also that the 
Assistant .\djutant-Geiieral shall, Avithout delay, forAvard to all Post 
Commanders an acknoAvledgment of j;he receipt of all reports and dues." 

Posts Avill be entitled to representation in the ratio of one delegate 
for every fifty members, Avith one additional member for a final fraction 
of more than half that number ; but each Post, Avhatever its numbers, 
shall be entitled to choose at least one member (see Chap. III., Art. II., 
of the Revised Rules and Regulations). As none but regularly-elected 



104 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



delegates or alternates will be admitted to seats in the Encampment 
(Post Commanders being members by virtue of their office), care Avill 
be taken to elect none but those that "vvill attend. 

Delegates and Post officers are elected for one year, at the last 
regular meeting of the Post, in December. 

II. Post Commander S. C. Warriner will detail an Officer of the 
Day, an Officer of the Guard, and a sufficient number of Sentinels, for 
duty during the Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to 
the Assistant Adjutant-General, at 11.30 a.m., on the 17th prox., for 
instructions. 

III. Delegates Avill be furnished with free return tickets over the 
Boston & All^any Ilailroad by applying to the Assistant Quartermaster- 
General, in the Encampment. 

IV. Post Adjutants will remember that the names of officers-f/cc« 
must appear in their report for this (piarter, but that the report must l)e 
signed hy t\\e retiring Commander and Adjutant; also, that the blanks, 
"Date of Last Order," "Amount expended for Charity," " Number of 
Rituals on hand," "Number remaining Suspended," etc., etc., must be 
filled. Reports heretofore have been inexcusably incomplete in this 
particular. 

V. Post Commanders will forward the Adjutant's and Quarter- 
master's reports together, and see to it, personally, that they agree in 
" Number remaining in Good Standing" before forwarding. 

All Posts indebted to the Department for bookS; blanks, etc., will 
be required to settle in full to Jan. 1, 1872. 

VI. The badges of the Grand Army of the Republic may be 
obtained at these Headquarters, at eighty cents each, extra ribbons at 
fifteen cents each — cash. Individual members Avill apply through Post 
Quartermasters. AVhen ordered to be sent by mail, postage must be sent 
at the rate of six cents for each badge. 

By order of 

WM. COGSWELL, 
HpNRY B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




HENRY R. SIBLEY, 

DEPARTMENT CON1N4 ANDER, 

1872. 



PROCEEDINGS 

or THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT BOSTON HIGHLANDS, 
1873. 



The Encampment was called to order at 12 im., by Com- 
mander Sibley, 

Absent — Judge Advocate W. W. Blackmar, and Comrades 
FiSKE, Phillips, and Adams of the Council of Administration. 

The roll was called, and two hundred and thirty-six members 
answered to their names, ninety-seven Posts being represented. 

Voted, To admit comrades, not members, to the gallery. 

Prayer by Comrade Geo. S. Ball, Chaplain. 

Post 1, of New Bedford, elected nt their annual meeting 
three delegates and three alternates, and was only entitled to 
two. Comrade Edavin Dews, the third on the list, being the 
only one present, it was voted to admit him. 

Voted, To dispense with the reading of the records of the 
last Encampment. 

By unanimous consent the following resolution was intro- 
duced by Comrade Fox, of Post 68 : — 

Ilesolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Dept. 
Commander to consider the expediency of instructing the Delegates 
from this Department to the National Encampment to advocate such 
alteration of Art. G, Chap. 5, Rules and Regulations of 1872, as shall 
al)olish the present cumbersome system of trials by court-martial, sub- 
stituting for them some simple and more direct method, under the more 
immediate control of the several Posts. This committee to report to 
this Convention at its present session. 

Adopted, and the following committee appointed — Comrade 
Fox, of Post GS, Senior Vice-Commander Hopkins, Comrades 
Macnamara, of Post If), AViiiTNEY, of Post 43, and Davol, of 
Post 40. 



106 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R 

By unanimous consent the following was offered by Com- 
rade Sherwin, of Post 144 : — 

Whereas, It is provided by Chap. III., Art. V., Sec. 2, Rules and 
Regulations, that the officers of the Department shall hold office till their 
successors are duly installed ; and 

Wherkas, No form of installation for Department officers has 
been prescribed by the National Encampment or this Department; 

Hesolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Com- 
mander to consider this subject, and if they deem best, report to this 
Convention a proper form of installation. 

Adopted, and Comrades Sherwin, of Post 144, Merrill, of 
Post 39, and Thompson, of Post 10, appointed as Committee. 

Comrade S. Arnold, of Post 9, presenting the same argu- 
ment for admission as in case of the comrade from Post 1, 
it was 

Voted, That he be admitted as a member of the Encamp- 
ment. 



ADDRESS OF COMMANDER SIBLEY. 

Comrades of the Department Encampment : 

We are once more assembled in Department Encampment, 
to review the work of the past year, and to adopt such measures 
for the new one as in our judgment will conduce to the growth 
and prosperity of the Grand Army within this jurisdiction. We 
enter upon this duty, I trust, with a two-fold feeling of gratitude 
to the Supreme Commander : first, for having spared our lives 
through another circuit of the seasons ; and next, for the success 
with which he has crowned our efforts to promote the efficiency 
and increase the usefulness of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

THE CONDITION OF THE ORDER. 

The results for the year just closed will be shown in detail 
by the reports of the Assistant Adjutant- General, the Assistant 
Quartermaster-General, and the Department Inspector. 

Upon the whole, we have a right to congratulate ourselves 
upon those results, for the occurrence during the latter half of the 
year of an exciting political campaign had the effect to diminish 
the attendance of the members at the meetings, and to distract 
their attention from our work. These effects were but temporary, 
for the prohibition of political action or discussion, being alike 
embodied in the Rules and Regulations, and written on the hearts 
of our comrades, was religiously observed from first to last. 

We have now one hundred and forty-nine Posts, being a gain 
of five during the year. The total membership, in good standing, 



' SKVENTU AKNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 107 

as near as can be learned (some reports nol having been received), 
is eleven thousand six hundred and sixteen, or a gain over the 
number at this date last year, of over four hundred. 

The reports show the enormous number of one thousand four 
hundred and twenty-one comrades suspended for non-payment of 
dues ; and 1 would suggest that the Posts exert tljemselves to re- 
cover these members, either by a collection or remission of their 
dues, as circumstances may require. 

The amount of funds remaining on hand is smaller than last 
year. This is to be attributed to the fact that a large amount of 
disbursements made this year are properly chargeable to the pre- 
ceding year, to the expenses of delegates to the National Encamp- 
ment at Cleveland, and to the increased cost of inspection. But 
it is believed that the expenditures have been in all cases of a 
judicious character. It is a matter of regret that the amount dis- 
bursed for relief cannot be correctly ascertained. It is, however, 
safe to say that the amount is exceedingly large, proving the 
charitable intent of our noble organization, and carrying joy and 
hope to thousands of households. In general, the duties of the 
inspectors have been well performed, and their reports show an 
increase of interest and great proficiency in the work. As the 
Posts are all instructed in and work well under the present Ritual, 
I believe our delegates to the National Encampment should oppose 
any change in it the present year. The observance of "Memo- 
rial Day" was very general, as the beauty and significance of it 
has taken a strong hold upon tlie hearts of the soldiers, and of the. 
generous and patriotic people of this good old Commonwealth. 

THE WOUK OF THE YEAR. 

I have endeavored to make good my promise to the Encamp- 
ment of last year, to visit the several Posts. By adopting the 
plan of visiting in each neighborhood the Post most conveniently 
located, and inviting there the otHcers of neighboring Posts, I 
hoped to be able to report here today that, so far as encourage- 
ment and instruction in the work was concerned, every Post in 
the Department had been reached. The political excitement 
before referred to, and the lioston fire, which destroyed mj' ph ce 
of business, and entailed upon me a heavy loss, prevented the 
completion of that work. However, the number of Posts visited 
in that way is seventy, while by attendance at fairs, camp-fires, 
and public meetings, I have addressed the officers and members of 
twelve others. In this labor the other Department officers, and 
especially these of the personal staff, have rendered so much aid, 
that beyond all (luestion great good has been accomplished. The 
Commander has learned the condition of the Posts ; more uni- 
formity in the work has been secured ; members of neighboring 
Posts have been brought together for mutual encouragement, and 



108 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., C.A.R. 

the zeal of members has been quiekeued by the words that have 
been spoken. 

A disastrous fire in the town of Ayer, in the spring, destroyed 
for the second time the hall occupied by Post 48, with all its 
furniture. Being imbued with the true fraternal spirit, several 
of the Posts made up the loss, amounting to nearly a hundred 
dollars. 

In the month of February the Commander-in-Chief, with 
several officers of his statf, visited Boston. It seemed proper, 
in view of his official position, his services to the Grand Army, 
and his eminent services for the country, that there should be, on 
the part of the Department, some expression of welcome and 
good- will. Accordingly the Department Headquarters tendered 
him a complimentary dinner, which was attended by the officers 
of National and Department Headquarters, and one or two 
personal friends of the Commander-in-Chief. 

A feud having existed for many months in Post 132, culmi- 
nating in a neglect to obey the orders of the Department Com- 
mander, it became necessary, in April, to vindicate the authority 
of the Department, by suspending the charter of that Post. The 
suspension continued till June 24th, when the charter was re- 
stored, in the belief that harmony would thenceforward prevail. 
There is good reason to hope that the Post will soon regain its 
former high rank in the Department. 

The new Installation Service, received too late for use last 
year, has been used the present month in most of the Posts. 
Under direction of the efficient Chief Mustering OtHcer, assign- 
ments of mustering officers were made for the several districts, 
and public installations were recommended. From my own 
observation, and from the reports received at Headquarters, I 
am convinced that the impressive character of the service, joined 
to the other means employed, have deepened the interest of the 
members in the Order, and made its objects better understood 
by the general public. 

THE GOOD OF THE ORDER. 

As the result of experience gained in five years' continuous 
service at Department Headquarters, and an acquaintance with 
the condition of so many of our Posts, I am prompted to offer 
a few suggestions as to the needs of our Order, if we would keep 
it strong and make it grow stronger. We want 

First, more care in the selection of officers. In the selection 
of officers we should have regard to a comrade's fitness for, 
earnestness m, and fidelity to the work assigned him. Many a 
Post is languishing, because officers have been chosen to respon- 
sible positions for no better reason than that they wanted to be 
chosen, had worked hard on a committee, or were "good fel- 
lows." Many of the Posts are without copies of the Rules and 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAJIPMENT. 109 

Regulations at present in force, being like a mariner at sea with- 
out chart or compass. As every officer has now taken an obliga- 
tion to obey and enforce the rules, they should be fully advised 
as to their duties, and then perform them, or make way for 
others who will perform them. 

SecotidJf/, we want the Post meetings made more interesting ; 
members will lose their interest, stay away from the meetings, 
and finally have to be dropped, unless the meetings oft'er some 
attractions strong enough to keep up a lively interest. That can 
be done by the introduction of business, remarks for the good of 
the Order, literary exercises, and above all, by ministering to 
the craving for social intercourse, of which everybody has more 
or less, but the soldiers a great deal. 

Thirdly, we want more visiting from one Post to another. 
By an interchange of visits the zealous are encouraged, the in- 
different are aroused, and all are made to feel how strong and 
widely-extended is the brotherhood to which we belong. I 
recommend county or neighborhood meetings, either of the Posts 
or by their delegates, to confer as to their condition and needs. 

Fourthly, we want the tried soldiers — our influential com- 
rades — to stand by us. Too many of our members, who were 
once prominent in their Posts (some of them having enjoyed 
the highest honors), have allowed their interest to slacken. In 
the course of nature our numbers must steadily diminish — by the 
love we bear our comrades, living or dead, let us close up the 
ranks and move forward together, in support of this, the repre- 
sentative organization of the soldiers and sailors. In our fra- 
ternal and benevolent work, and especially in the commemorative 
duties of "Memorial Day," there is much to stir up noble 
impulses within us — to thrill our hearts Avith patriotic pride. 
Let us then be not passive, but active promoters of the good 
work. 

I have received cordial support and many acts of kindness, 
throughout the year, from the comrades of the Council of Ad- 
ministration, the Department Staff, and the Personal Staff. To 
them, one and all, I extend my warmest thanks and my kindest 
wishes for their future prosperity. My relations with the As- 
sistant Adjutant-General have been most intimate and exceed- 
ingly pleasant. He is thoroughly devoted to the Grand Army, 
is an efficient officer and a gentleman — with a good head and a 
large heart. My thanks are due to the comrades generally, for 
their support and confidence ; to the many who have urged me to 
be a candidate for re-election, my thanks are due, but for many 
reasons I must peremptorily decline. May God bless our noble 
Order, and may He permit each of you to live long to enjoy 
the blessings of liberty and peace, secured by your labors and 
sacrifices ! 



110 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department Encamjyment : 

I have the honor to submit to the Departmeut Encampment 
the following report for the year 1872 : — 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1871 144 

Number of membei's appearing upon report for fourth 

quarter, 1871 11,208 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1872 149 

Number of members appearing upon report for fourth 

quarter, 1872 11,219 

Showing a gain of five Posts and eleven members dur- 
ing the year. 
The following charters have been granted during the year : — 

Post 55 Taunton. 

" 84 South Deerfield. 

" 97 Belchertown. 

" 147 Norwood. 

" 148 Winchester. 

" 149 . . . '. . Charlestowu. 
Post 97, Auburn, has surrendered its charter. 

Number of members admitted by muster 1,887 

" " " transfer 215 

" '<■ " reinstatement . . . 1,204 

" " lost by death 128 (to 108 in 1871). 

Lost by honorable discharge 105 

" transfer 330 

Dropped from the rolls 1,619 

Suspended 1,654 

Dishonorably discharged 4 

Number remaining suspended 1,421 

Number of rejected applications reported during the year 66 

The amount disbursed for relief purposes since March 31, 
1872, so far as reported, is $23,790.29. 

Number of comrades and their families aided, 457; number 
of persons and families, not members, aided, 996. 

This report is for one hundred and thirty-seven Posts. 
Twelve Posts are in arrears for reports; viz.. No. 21, Need- 
ham; No. 31, Ashburnham (two quarters); No. 36, Amherst 
(two quarters); No. 88, Quincy ; No. 92, Easthampton ; No. 
99, Princeton; No. 100, Ipswich; No. 115, Lee; No. 119, South 
Hadley Falls; No. 128, Provincetown (two quarters) ; No. 132, 
Peabody (three quarters), and No. 137, Great Barrington. 

The reports from Post 6, Holliston, for the third quarter, 
have not been received. The last reports received from the above 
Posts would give 468 membei'S in addition to number in report 
for fourth quarter, which, after deducting arrearages of the fourth 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. Ill 

quarter, 1871, would show an actual gain of two hundred and 
eighty-three members during the year, and when we consider 
the amount of pruning which has been done by most of the 
Posts, dropping those who have an antipathy against dues, and 
who were damaging the organization in other ways than finan- 
cially, our condition at tliis time is a subject for congratulation. 
In the opinion of the p(-'Oi)le, we hold a nuich higher place than 
ever before, for finding that we, as an organization, do not live 
for ourselves alone, but for the widowed and orphaned, and for 
all disabled soldiers who are deserving, they extend a ready 
hand to help us in our endeavors, and we find no difficulty in 
keeping an ample relief fund. Great care should be exercised 
in selecting connuittees for its disbursement, and those who are 
appointed should weigh carefully the demnnds which are con- 
stantly being made, to the end that only those who are deserv- 
ing shall reap the benefit. Sa}', no ! to travelling soldiers as a 
rule, for the average pedestrian soldier is a humbug and an im- 
postor^ and he will gratify his love of the beautiful in nature 
so long as he finds Posts ready to give him a lift from place to 
place ; so I would suggest that Posts confine their relief work 
to those residing in their own vicinity, except in extreme cases. 
Instead of any further report, I ])ropose to use the little time 
left me in a plain talk with I'ost officers ; and to begin, no com- 
rade should accept any office in his Post, without first knowing 
that he can attend to its duties, and having accepted, he should 
take the same interest in all that pertains to the office that he 
would in his own business. The Post Commander should be 
familiar with the Rules and Regulations, and know what is re- 
quired of him at the hands of the Department as well as of his 
Post. I r^'gret to say that many are sadly deficient in this re- 
gard. It has been repeatedly set forth in Orders and Reports, 
beside being laid down in the Rules and Regulations, that the 
Commander shall forward ((// reports to Department Headquar- 
ters, and see that they agree before forwarding, but still they 
come separately, and oftentimes without the endoi'semcut of 
the Commander, differing essentially. Promptness would be 
a redeeming trait, but they lack this. General Orders, Nos. 7 
and 9, C.S., reminded Post Commanders that all reports must 
be at Department Ileadcjuarters before the 10th inst., together 
with a list of delegates and alternates, and the reports of 
twenty-seven Posts were received on the 11th, not to mention 
several that have been received since. Onl}^ a feiv sent lists of 
delegates, and when written to regarding this shortcoming on 
their part, responded at once and said that they '•'■didn't Jcnoiv 
the list teas wanted." They do not read the Ordei-s, or if 
they do, the contents are not remembered or complied with ; 
and here it should be stated that Orders from Department 
and National Headquarters are frequently reported missing from 



112 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., Cx.A.R. 

Post files, owing to the neglect on the part of the Commander 
in not turning them over to the Adjutant, or carelessness on 
the part of the latter in not preserving them. A good Adjutant 
and Quartermaster are necessary, and should be selected with 
a view to their fitness for the position, Avithout regard to per- 
sonal preferences ; the best conu-ade in the Department might 
send a report to Headquarters that should be accompanied by 
an interpreter ; in fact, 1 think that there must be some of that 
kind in our Posts, and wish that they would either study up their 
duty, or resign in favor of some comrade who is better capable, 
though oftentimes it seems as though the condition of the reports 
was due, solely, to carelessness, the "Totals" and "Aggre- 
gates " are so thoroughly ignored. These errors and omissions 
do not often occur in the reports of the larger Posts, but in the 
small ones, where but little time would be required to make them 
up properly, and if the work is not worth doing well, it is not 
worth doing at all. If every Adjutant, who has been in the 
habit of half-making a report, and every one who intends so to do 
in the future, will consider the above as said to hita, I shall not 
have said it in vain. In closing I would not forget to bear 
testimony that many of the Posts forward reports that are models 
of neatness, correctness, and completeness. 

These questions may seem of minor importance, but if we 
would maintain our high position as a Department in the Order, 
it must be doue by looking after these little things, and there did 
not seem a better time to call your attention to them thau after 
the address of tlie Commander, whose intimate personal knowl- 
edge of all the Avorkings of the Department has enabled him to 
exhaust the greater questions, and leave me with little to do 
except to indulge in a little fault-finding, Avhich I hope the com- 
rades for whom it is intended will accept with a good grace, and 
heed, if it is not unreasonable. Finally, comrades, let us all 
stand shoulder to shoulder, and do everything in our power to 
strengtlien the Grand Army, and its hold upon the people. It 
is but for a little time ; year by year our death rate increases, 
and soon the last comrade will have gone to his reward ; long 
after that may the nation remember with pride that such an or- 
ganization existed, and with love that it never failed in carrying 
out the great principles which Avere its foundation. 
Yours in F., C, and L., 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



113 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 15, 1873. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department Encamjyment : 

I have the honor to submit the following Report for the year 

1872, in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of our 

Order : — 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand at last Report .$1,107.68 

Cash received for Arrearages, Department Dues, third and 

fourth quarters, IS70 ^-^^ 

Cash received for Arrearages, Department Dues, first, second, 

and third quarters, 1871 l?PAt 

Cash received for Department Dues, fourth quarter, 1871 . 8Jo.b8 

" first " 1872 . 887.68 

" second " 1872 . 917.44 
«< " Arrearages, Department Dues, first and 

«i " second quarters, 1872 o9.04 

• « «' Department Dues, third quarter, 1872 . . 859.12 

«< " Books, Blanlis, &c., sold to Posts . . . 928.16 

Badges sold to Posts 2,164.00 

.« " Charter Fees, Posts 55, 81, 84, 97, 147, 148, 

and 149 70.00 

Total ^8-051-0^ 

EXPENDITURES. 

Cash expended, as per vouchers $7,948.88 

Cash on hand, Dec. 31st, 1872 102.16 

Total ^g^051-01: 

Amount due from Posts, for Books, Blanks, Badges, &c., 

Dec. 31st, 1872 $219.57 

Value of Books, Blanks, Badges, &c., on hand, Dec. 31st, '72 304.40 

$523.97 
Cash on hand 102.16 

$626.13 
Total known indebtedness of Department, Dec. 31st, 1872 . 387.45 

$238.68 

It will be seen from the foregoing statement that, while the 
financial condition of this Department is sound, the balance in 
the Treasury is small, as compared with former years. This may 
be explained by the following facts, (.^lite a large number of 
bills contracted during the year 1871 were carried over to be paid 
out of the past year's receipts ; there have also been extraordinary 
items of expense, the recurrence of which may not often be ex- 
pected, — such as the travelling expenses of delegates to the last 
National Encampment at Cleveland. The whole matter, however, 
is explained in the following 



114 EAKLT HISTORY DEPT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 

ITEM ACCOUNT OF EXPENDITURES. 

FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1872. 

Travelling expenses of Delegates to National Convention . . $397.75 

Inspection expenses 801.44 

Salary of Assistant Adjutant-General ('72 and 1 month of '71) 1,800.00 

" " Quartermaster-Gen'l ( " 1 " " ) 325.00 
Travelling expenses of Department Commander and Staff, on 

Official Visits to Posts 111.07 

Expense of entertainment to Gen. Burnside and Staff . . . 120.00 

Dues to National Headquarters 1,395.57 

Books, Blanks, ^^c 676.90 

Badges 2,025.00 

Printing Proceedings of last Department Convention . . . 101.50 
Eeut and Incidental Expenses of Department Headquarters, 
Including Printing of General Orders, Postage, Stationery, 

&c., &c 694.65 

Total $7,948.88 

I desire to call particular attention to but one item in the 
above account, that of $1,395.57 clues to National Headquarters 
for the year 1872, and I would respectfully suggest whether in 
view of the large proportionate payment on the part of this 
Department, it would not be advisable to instruct the comrades 
who may be elected to represent this Department in the next 
National Encampment, to use their best endeavors to have the 
dues reduced. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. S. GREENOUGH, 
Assistant Quartermaster- General. 



REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL 
OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Boston, January 13th, 1873. 
The Council of Administration, having examined the finan- 
cial accounts of the Assistant (.Quartermaster-General of the 
Department, as provided in Chapter III., Art. VI., Sect. 9, of 
the Rules and Regulations, find a balance on hand, December 
31st, 1872, amounting to one hundred and two dollars and six- 
teen cents ($102. 1 G) ; and they take pleasure in commending the 
admirable system and accuracy displayed throughout the Depart- 
ment accounts. 

WILLIAM WOODS, 
LEMUEL POPE, 
Council of Administration. 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



115 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR. 

Commander and Comrades of the Convention: 

Haviug been appointed Department Inspector by General 
Orders No. 2, dated February 5tli, 1872, I have the honor to 
submit the following report. 

During the year the following comrades were appointed 
Assistant Inspectors : — 

S. M. Weale, Post 

W. H. Cunningham, " 

C. B. Baldwin, " 

E. L. NoYEs, " 

J. SiLLOWAY, Jr., " 

G. F. Frost, " 

E. C. Whitney, " 
Geo. W. Wilson, " 
A. O. Kinney, " 
W. H. Osborne, " 
G. H. Patch, " 
W. B. C. Emerson, " 
John Cokthell, " 
A. M. Parker, " 
James F. Meech, " 

F. B. Smith, " 
J. A. Small, . " 

E. BOLTWOOD, " 

E. M. Wood, " 

P. N. Sprague, " 

E. W. TooMP.s, " 

Geo. H. Howard, " 

Chas. H. Littlefield, " 

Edward Townsend, " 

E. P. BOWEN, '' 

Henry Parsons, " 

E. B. Macy, " 

J. W. BiGELOW, " 

Franklin jACOiiS, " 

The following have resigned di 
E. C. Whitney, Post 

W. H. Osborne, 
John Cortiiell, 
E. W. Toombs, 
E. Tow^nsend, 

Some of these resignations, coming in at the eleventh liour, 
will be the cause of my not making a complete report to the 
Convention. 



23, 


East Boston. 


32, 


South Boston. 


4, 


Melrose. 


49, 


Newburyport. 


94, 


Canton. 


29, 


Waltham. 


43, 


Marlboro'. 


5, 


Lynn. 


103, 


Chicopee. 


124, 


East Bridgewater. 


142, 


South Framingham. 


62, 


Newton. 


112, 


South Scituate. 


10, 


AVorcester. 


10, 


Worcester. 


2, 


Nantucket. 


12^, 


Provincetown. 


36, 


Amherst. 


126, 


South Adams. 


104, 


Hingham. 


59, 


Sterling. 


57, 


East Cambridge. 


39, 


Lawrence. 


37, 


Spencer. 


46, 


Fall Kiver. 


43, 


Marlboro'. 


19, 


Fitchburg. 


37, 


Spencer. 


112, 


South Scituate. 


■ing the year : — 


43, 


Marlboro'. 


124, 


East Bridgewater. 


112, 


South Scituate. 


59, 


Sterling. 


37, 


Spencer. 



116 EARLY IIISTOKY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.K. 

I am happy to be able to nay to the Convention, that the 
Posts in this Department are now in splendid working order, with 
very few exceptions. 

I have received reports from all of my assistants, except the 
eighth district, comprising Posts 8, 13, 73, 74, 16, 78, and 124, 
which has not, so far as I can learn, been inspected at all, and 
the resignation of the Inspector, coming to me at so late a daj' 
(December 18th, 1872), 1 have been unable to get a comrade to 
take his place. The reports received -agree substantially in facts 
and figures with the details of the Adjutant-General's report, and 
are, therefore, not repeated here. 

The expense of my Department has been larger than last 
year, which is accounted for by the fact that many of the In- 
spectors have visited the Posts in their district twice. 

I find that many of our Posts are in the habit of adjourning 
through the summer mouths, thereby violating the Rules and 
Regulations, which say that Posts shall meet at least ouce a 
month. 

In my two former reports I have called the attention of the 
Convention to the neglect of Post Commandeis in not having 
their commands ready for inspection on the nights appointed by 
the Inspector. This fault still exists in a few of the Posts, 
though, as a whole, there is not so much need of improvement as 
there was last year. By the oftlcers of the Posts attending to 
their duties this trouble can be disposed of, and I trust that my 
successor will have no cause to mention it to the Convention. 

Many of the Posts in this Department have been holding 
Fairs, Entertainments, etc., this winter, and, so far as I can 
learn, with spl6ndid success ; and it seems to me that the feeliug 
of the community at large, toward the Grand Army, is growing 
stronger and stronger every day, and I question very much if any 
secret society receives so large a share of the public sympathy 
and patronage as the Grand Army of the Republic. 

In conclusion I desire to say that, after three years' experi- 
ence, I am more than ever convinced that the Inspection Depart- 
ment is a most important part of oar work, and I hope that my 
successor may always receive the same hearty support that has 
always been given me, for much of the success of this Depart- 
ment is due to the very able assistance I have received from the 
members of the Staff and the Assistant Inspectors. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

lu F., C, and L., 

CHAS. O. WELCH, 
Department Inspector. 



SEVKNTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 117 

REPORT OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. 

The Medical Director respectfully reports that from the 
medical returns, which have been transmitted to Headquarters, 
the following statistics are collected : — 

-Number of comrades who have lost their right arm ... 51 

" " " " left "... 27 

" " " " both "... 1 

" " " " a leg 79 

" " " " both ej^es .... 1 

" " " been wounded .... 1,461 
" " otherwise injured 180 

Making the total number of injuries 1,S00 

It is to be feared, however, that the above figures give but a 
very incomplete view of these facts, since many of the Posts 
have made no medical reports ; others are deficient, and with 
some it is probable that the same injuries appear in more than 
one report. 

In justice to the Post Surgeons, some of whom have been 
extremely careful and accurate in their returns, it should be under- 
stood that in many of the Posts, especially the larger ones, it is 
no easy matter to obtain these facts, with the desirable degree of 
accuracy, from the ditiiculty of seeing all the members personally. 
In addition to this, a fruitful cause of error must arise from the 
fact that the blanks furnished do not specify distinctly whether 
the whole number is to be reported each quarter, or only the 
additional ones from the previous report. 

In taking leave of the Department as Medical Director, the 
undersigned desires to express his sense of the unsolicited and 
unexpected honor w^hich w^as conferred upon him by his election, 
as well as his grateful thanks to all with whom he has been 
brought in official communication, for their uniform courtesy and 
kindness, and to Comrade Peirce, the A.A.-G. of the Depart- 
ment, especially, for valuable assistance in the care and consoli- 
dation of his*returns. 

I have the honor, gentlemen and comrades, to remain, with 
great respect. 

Your obedient servant, 

JOEL SEAVERNS, 
Med. Dir. of IJept. of Mass. ^ G.A.E. 



REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN. 

Mr. Commander and Comrades : 

I find myself unexpectedly called upon for a report. I have 
none written. If you will allow me to make a verbal report, 



118 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

although necessarily imperfect, I shall be most happy to accede 
to your demaud. 

In that erudite volume some of us studied years ago, — " the 
Army Regulations," — the duties of the Chaplain were unde- 
fined ; and so I found in the Rules and Regulations of the 
Gr.A.R. no clear indications that a report would be expected 
from me at this time, and hence my apology for apparent neglect. 
But as my duty as Department Chaplain has, during the past 
year, been more among its chief officers, I presume comrades 
desire to know of their moral condition first. 

Aware that privates sometimes think the officers live faster 
than they can, let me state frankly, that I think, for the past 
year, our Department officers have been a very s<ohpr set of men. 
Though the personal appearance of some of them should be 
against the statement, I can ouly say, in the language of the 
poet, "Things are not what they seem." Robust health and 
great modesty may give a tint to the cheek, and a good con- 
science and well-watered hard-tack an enlargement in the 
trunk of the body, especially in the gastric region. 

But joking aside, the Headquarters of the Department of 
G.A.R. of Massachusetts, for 1S72, seem to me in a good 
moral condition. So, as far as I can gather, this is true through- 
out the Department. The Posts all welcome, as far as I know, 
the service, labor, and sympathy of the Chaplains. 

This has been most marked at funeral services and on Me- 
morial Day. I trust this is to continue, and, with the thronging 
memories which make that day so precious to surviving com- 
rades, let us gather its lessons, that as we go on in the great 
march it may be with faces towards the light of heaven, and with 
hopes over which death shall cast no shadow. 

Let me add, that the office of Chaplain in our Posts I con- 
sider very important. As a poor Chaplain in the army was as 
cumbersome and useless as the fifth wheel of a coach, so also 
was a good faithful working Chaplain a most important officer to 
the highest well-being and order of a regiment ; so^n our Posts, 
the office of Chaplain is among the most important. We want 
good ones. Any Christian soldier, desiring to do a good work, . 
will find it so if he will undertake it, and magnify it by rever- 
ence and devotion to the interests of all its members. 

Let me urge this upon our Posts. Select wisely your Chap- 
lains. Let them also seize the opportunity thus opened of doing 
good, and by self-denial, if need be, make its labors, under God, 
successful, and by and by its work shall be as stars in your crown 
of rejoicings, and in the prese?ii joy, as something done to hasten 

the great victory, 

GEO. S. BALL, 

Cha/plain, 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 119 

Voted, To accept the several reports. 

By unanimous consent Comrade Attwood, of Post 113, 
moved that the Comninuder be ve(iuested to furnish a copy of his 
address for publication, and that one thousand copies of the 
proceedings of this Encampment, containing the Commander's 
address and the several reports, be printed for gratuitous dis- 
tribution among the Posts of this Department. 

Carried. 

The committee, of which Comrade Fox was chairman, re- 
ported as follows : — 

liesolved, That the delegates from this Department to the National 
Encampment be, and hereby are, instructed to recommend to the En- 
campment such alteration or amendment of Art. G, Chap. V., Rules and 
Regulations of 1872, as will abolish the system of trial by courts-martial, 
and leave the question of discipline to the several Posts, where it prop- 
erly, under certain rules and restrictions, to insure fairness and uni- 
formity, belongs. 

liesolved, That the character of the changes to be recommended 
be left to the judgment of the Council of Administration of this De- 
partment. 

Voted, To accept the report, and adopt the resolutions. 

Comrade Filkins, of Post 15, offered a resolution relative to 
publishing the names of members dropped from the rolls for non- 
payment of dues. 

Tabled. 

Voted, That so much of the report of the Assistant Quarter- 
master-General as refers to reduction of dues be referred to the 
Council of Administration, they to report thereon at the present 
meeting. 

Commander Emery, of Post 26, on behalf of the Post, 
invited the Encampment to lunch, and it was voted, to adjourn 
for one hour. 

Upon reassembling. Senior Vice-Commander Hopkins intro- 
duced the following, by unanimous consent : — 

Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Encampment be tendered 
to Thos. G. Stevenson Tost 2G, of Boston Highlands, for the sumptuous 
and elegant entertainment provided by them for the Encampment. 

Carried. 

Comrade Macy, of Post 19, offered the following, by unani- 
mous consent, in accordance with instructions from his Post : — 

Resolved, That the next Annual Encampment of this Department be 
holdeu in the city of Fitchburg. 



120 EARLY HISTORY 1>EPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

And it was so voted. 

The following resolution was introduced by Junior Vice- 
Commander Churchill : — 

Mesolved, That the delegates to the National Encampment be re- 
quested to procure a change in the burial service, b)' which it may be 
rendered more impressive, especiall)' in the service at the grave, and 
that a committee of three be appointed to draft a new service, the form 
of modification to be submitted to the Council of Administration for 
their approval, and in the event of its approval, to be presented, by the 
delegates, to the National Encampment. 

Carried — And Junior Vice-Commander Churchill, Com- 
mander Prior, of Post 56, and Chaplain Ball, appointed com- 
mittee. 

The following report was then submitted : — 
To the De2)artiaent Encampment : 

The committee appointed under Special Orders No. 20, Department 
of Mass., C.S., to consider and report upon General Orders No. 3, Na- 
tional Headquarters C.S., in regard to the establishment of Industrial 
Homes by the State, for the care and education of the children of 
deceased comrades, having fully considered the subject in all its bear- 
ings, unanimously report, that, in their opinion, no action is expedient 
in this State. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

For the Committee, 

WM. COGSWELL. 

Voted, To accept the report. 

On motion of Commander Whitney, of Post 43, it was 

Voted, That in case it should be found necessary to hold a 
session of this Encampment in July next, said meeting be holden 
at Marlboro'. 

Voted, That a committee of nine be appointed to retire and 
bring in a list of candidates for delegates to the National En- 
campment. 

The following comrades appointed : B.J. McCormic, Post 
57, C. G. Attwoou, Post 113, J. G. Bovey, Post 34, Lemuel 
Pope, Post 135, S. C. Parsons, Post 39, J. A. G. Richardson, 
Post 42, J. SiLLOWAY, Jr., Post 94, H. M. Converse, Post 44, J. 
W. BiGELOW, Post 37. 

A motion to have a Department parade was offered by a 
comrade from Post 90, Danvers. 

Voted, To lay on the table until after the election of officers. 

Comrade Sherwin, in behalf of the Committee on Installa- 
tion Service for Department Officers, reported as follows : — 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MENT. 121 

Jieftolved, That the elected officers of this Department shall be in- 
stalled b}' the retiring Commander or Past Department Commander, in 
Convention; but the officers elect not present at the Convention, and 
the appointed olficers, may be installed at any stated meetini;: of the 
Council of Administration, or at such other time as the Department 
Commander may select, taking the obligation as hereinafter provided 
for Statt' Officers. 

The form for Installation, as prepared by the committee, 
was submitted, and it Avas 

Voted, To accept the report, and adopt the recommendations. 

The following report from the Council of Administration 
was accepted, and laid upon the table : — 

The Council of Administration, to whom Avas referred the subject 
of reducing the per capita tax to National Headquarters, as suggested by 
the Assistant Quartermaster General in his report, Avould most respect- 
fully report that, as the present tax is 12 cents per comrade, it would be 
but just and equal to reduce the same to .08 cents per comrade. 

And in our opinion the delegates to the National Encampment 
should lie so instructed. 

WILLIAM WOODS, 
LEMUEL POPE, 

For the Council of Administration. 

Voted, To proceed to the election of a Commander for the 
ensuing year, and that the chair appoint a committee of five to 
receive, assort and count votes. Comrade Hovey, of Post 113, 
Baldwin, of Post 4, Wilson, of Post 5, Tiffts, of Post 16, and 
Babbitt, of Post 3, appointed as the comniittee. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to receive, 
assort and count votes for Senior Vice-Commander. 

Comrades Woods, of Post 7, Dunn, of Post 35, Pollev, 
of Post 53, Hunt, of Post 17, and Phipps, of Post 14, appointed. 

The ballot for Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 210 

Necessary for a choice 1 OU 

A. B. Underwood, of Post 02 176 

W. H. CuNDv, of Post 7 33 

J. W. Kimball, of Post ID 5 

J. II. liAKNKS, of Post 23 2 

And Comrade Underwood's election was made unanimous. 

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to wait upon 
the Commander elect, and request his presence. 



122 EARLY HISTORY DErX, OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Comrades Emery, of Post 2G, Attwood, of Post -113, and 
HuRD, of Post 75, appointed, and Comrade Underwood was 
presented, and addressed the Encampment. 

The ballot for Senior Vice-Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 205 

Necessary for a choice 103 

J. W. Kimball, of Post 11) 172 

E. C. Whitney, of Post 43 30 

Wm. Washp.urn, Jr., of Post 138 ... 3 

And Comrade Kimball's election was made unanimous. 

The following officers were elected by a single ballot, cast 
by the Assistant Adjutant-General, by unanimous vote of the 
Encampment : — 

Junior Vice-Commander, Lemuel Pope, Post 135 
Medical Director . , D. D. Gilbert, " 68 
Chaplain Geo. S. Ball, " 22 

Voted, That a Committee of nine be appointed to submit a 
lis? of candidates for members of the Council of Administration. 

Comrades Emery, of Post 26, Barnes, of Post 23, Williams, 
of Post 139, Hall, of Post 120, Parker, of Post 10, IMillard, 
of Post 7, Button, of Post 72, 'Webber, of Post 42, and 
Lawrence of Post 66, appointed. 

The sign of recognition, and a new countersign, were com- 
municated to the delegates. 

The committee to nominate a list of delegates and alternates 
to the National Encampment, submitted a report which was 
accepted. 

Moved — To proceed to ballot. 

Amendment — That the list reported by the committee be 
read, and such names as are not objected to shall be entered 
upon one ballot, and that the Assistant Adjutant-General be 
instructed to deposit it as the vote of the Encampment. 

Carried — And the following were unanimously elected, in 
accordance therewith : — 

delegate- AT-LARGR. ALTERNATE- AT-LARGE. 

Henry Sibley, Post 11 AVm. Cogswell, Post 34 

DELEGATES. ALTERNATES. 

Chas. O. Welch, Post 57 C. C. Emery, Post 26 

Chas. H. Chase, "34 S. J. Spaulding, " 49 

Geo. S. Merrill, " 39 Thos. Sherwin, " 144 



G. A. Churchill, 


Post 


;68 


A. M. Tilton, 




47 


Heury B. Peiice, 




73 


Geo. T. Chikls, 




11 


Luke Lyman, 




44 


G. H. Babbitt, 




3 



SKVKNTII ANNUA T. KNCAMPMENT. 123 

T. C. Webber, Post 42 

J. D. Cogswell, " 131 

A. O. Kenney, " 103 

E. B. Blasland, " 125 

W. S. B. Hopkins, " 120 

Wni. Spalding, " 11 

D. H. Smith, " 145 

Voted, To proceed to the election of two delegates and one 
alternate, and that a committee of three be appointed to receive, 
assort, and count votes. 

Comrades Fox, of Post 68, Fuost, of Post 15, and Dyer, 
of Post 7, appointed. 

Voted, To accept report of committee to nominate candi- 
dates for members of Council of Aministration. 

Voted, to reconsider. 

Voted, To recommit the report, with instructions to make 
one alteration, and then the committee reported the following : — 

Comrades Wur. Woods, of Post 7, J. P. Maxfield, of Post 
42, H. E. Hill, of Post 139, H. Wilson, Jr., of Post 35, and 
Geo. H. Hoyt, of Post 123. 

Voted, To accept the report. The ballot was dispensed 
with, and they were unanimously elected. 

The Committee, of which Comrade Fox was chairman, re- 
ported no choice in the ballot for delegates, and it was voted to 
proceed to another ballot. 

Voted, To take the report of the Council of Administration, 
relating to Department dues, from the table. 

Voted, That the delegates from this Department be instructed 
to use their endeavors to have the dues reduced from twelve to 
eight cents per year, if, in their judgment, it can be done without 
detriment to the interests of the Grand Ami}'. 

Comrade W. H. Carney, of Post 140, received 71 votes 
for delegate to the National Encampment, and was declared 
elected. Whole number of votes 104. Mooed, by Comrade 
Spalding, of Post 11, — 

That it is the sense of this Encampment, that the next 
annual Encampment should be called at eight o'clock in the 
evening of the day prescribed. 

Voted, To refer to the Council of Administration, with full 
powers. 



124 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Voted, That a new committee of three be appointed to re- 
ceive, assort, and count votes for the remaining delegates. 

Comrades Barnes, of Post 35, Kelso, of Post 11, and 
Fisher, of Post 143, appointed. 

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to receive, 
assort, and count votes for the remaining alternates. 

Comrades Lee, of Post 11, Filkins, of Post 15, and Pike, 
of Post 149, appointed. 

The ballot for the last delegate resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 87 

Necessary for a choice 44 

Comrade W. H. Cundy, of Post 7, received 45 votes, and was 
declared elected. 

The following was introduced by Comrade Simpson, of 
Post 142: — 

liesolved, That the sincere and earnest thanks of this Encampment 
be extended to its retiring officers, for the faithful and impartial manner 
in which they have conducted the duties of their respective positions 
during the past j'ear. 

Carried — And appropriate remarks made by Commander 
Sibley. 

The Chaplain having submitted a verbal report, it was voted 
that he be requested to furnish a copy of his remarks for publi- 
cation with the reports of other Department officers, and he, 
having complied therewith, it appears in the order of reports. 

No choice on first ballot for remaining alternates, voted to 
proceed to a second. 

Whole number of votes 48 

Necessary for a choice 25 

Comrade Jacob Silloway, Jr., of Post 94, received 35, and was 
declared elected. 

Voted, To proceed to the installation of the officers elect, 
and those who were present were duly installed by Commander 
Sibley, as follows : — 

Commander A. B. Underwood. 

Junior Vice-Commander . . Lemuel Pope. 

Chaplain Geo. S. Ball. 

Council of Administration . Wm. Woods. 



Voted, To adjourn. 



HENRY B. TEIRCE, 

Assista7it Adjutant- General. 



SEVENTH ANNUAL P:NCAMPMENT. 125 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1872. 



S72. j 



HEAIXiUAltTKHS DeI'T. OK MaSS., G.A.R. 

366 Washington- Sthket, Koom 4, 
General Orders \ Boston, Jan. 20, 187 

No. 1. / 

I. Having been elected by tlie Department Convention, Commander 
for the present term, I accept the trust and hereby assume command, 
with Headquarters as above. 

II. Comrade Henry B. Peirce of Post 73, Abington, is hereby 
appointed Assistant Adjutant-General, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. All communications relating to the Adjutant's and Quarter- 
master (ieneral's Departments will be addressed to him. 

III. The following-named Comrades have been duly elected olh- 
cers of the Department for the ensuing year : — 

H. R. Sibley of Post 11, Charlestown, Commander. 

\V. S. B. Hopkins of Post 120, Greentield, Senior Yice-Com- 

mander. 
Gardner A. Churchill of Post (58, Boston (Dorchester), Junior 

Vioe-Commander. 
Joel Seaverns of Post 20, Boston Highlands, Medical Director. 
Geo. S. Ball of Post 22, Upton, Chaplain. 

COUNCIL OF ADMINISTKATION. 

William Woods of Post 7, Boston. 
W. O. Fiske of Post 42, Lowell. 
H. M. Phillips of Post 1(5, Springfield. 
H. A. Cushman of Post 3, Taunton. 
J. G. B. Adams of Post 5, Lynn. 

l)ELEGATi:S TO 'THE NATIONAL ENlAMl'MENT. 

Wm. CogsAvell of Post 34, Salem (at large). 
J. H. Barnes of I'ost 23, East Boston. 
Geo. S. Merrill of Post 39, Lawrence. 
H. S. Briggs of Post 98, Pittsfleld. 
C. A. Campbell of Post 3."), Chelsea. 
Thomas Sherwin of Post 144, Dedham. 
Chas. Devens, Jr., of Post 10, Worcester. 
Henry B. Peirce of Post 73, Abington. 
Chas. H. Parsons of Post 45. Gloucester. 
Brownell Granger of I'ost 26, Boston Highlands. 
W. H. Cundy of Post 7, Boston 
Henry A. Willis of Post l!i, Fitchburg. 

IV. The announcement of the Staff will be made hereafter. 

Official: U. II. SIBLEV, 

Henky B. Peiuce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



126 EARLY HISTORY PEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,) 
366 Washington Street, Room i, [ 
General Orders \ Boston, Feb. 5, 1872. J 

No. 2. / 

I. The following Comrades are announced upon the Staff of the 
Commander : — 

W. S. Greenough of Post 23, East Boston, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General. 
Chas. 0. Welcli of Post 57, East Cambridge, Inspector. 
W. W. Blackmar of Post 113, Boston, Judge Advocate. 

HONORARY STAFF. 

Geo. H. Long of Post 11, Charlestown, Chief. 

C. B. Fox of Post G8, Boston (Dorchester), Aide. 

S. W. Wheeler of Post 35, Chelsea, Aide. 

Hubbard M. Alibott of Post H, Northampton, Aide. 

Geo. R. Kelso of Post. 11, Charlestown, Aide. 

S. C. Warriner of Post 16, Springfield, Aide. 

Geo. T. Childs of Post 11, Charlestown, Chief Mustering Officer. 

ASSISTANT INSPECTORS. 

S. M. Weale of Post 23, East Boston. 
W. H. Cunningham of Post 32, S. Boston. 
C. B. Baldwin of Post 4, Melrose. 
E. L. Noyes of Post 49, Newburyport. 
Jacob Silloway, ,Tr., of Post 1)4, Canton. 
G. F. Frost of Post 2!), Waltham. 

E. C. Whitney of Post 43, Marlboro. 
Geo. W. Wilson of Post 5, Lynn. 

A. O. Kinney of Post 103, Chicopee. 

W. H. Osborne of Post 124, East Bridgewater. 

G. H. Patch of Post 142, S. Framingham. 

W. B. C. Emerson of Post 62, Newton. 

John Corthell of Post 112, S. Scituate. 

A. M. Parker of Post 10, Worcester.- 

J. F. Meech of Post 10, Worcester. 

F. B. Smith of Post 2, Nantucket. 

J. A. Small of Post 128, Provincetown. 
Edmund Boltwood of Post 36, Amherst. 
E. M. Wood of Post J 26, S. Adams. 
They will be ol^eyed and respected accordingly. 
IL The General Court-martial convened by General Orders No. 
8. series of 1871, and of which Comrade S. M. Weale is President, is 
hereby dissolved. 

III. Posts that have not received the new secret work, can do so 
by applying at these Headquarters through some Comrade authorized by 
them to receive it, and provided with written authority, signed by the 
Post Commander and Adjutant. Posts that cannot conveniently comply 
with the above, will notify the Assistant Adjutant-General, and the 
Inspector will communicate the work in person. 

IV. At the Annual Encampment it was voted to recommend to 
the ditlerent Posts the necessity of taking action, so that needy soldiers 
and sailors can receive aid from cities and towns Avithout going through 
the form prescribed for paupers (as set forth in Circular of Post 18). 
It was also voted that Post Adjutants be instructed to forward a list of 
all rejected applicants to Department Headquarters, to be published in 
General Orders. The entire proceedings will be published, in conjunction 
Avith Past Commander Cogswell's address, and forAvarded to the Posts 
at an early date 



SEYENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 127 



VI. The Assistant Adjutant-General's office will be open daily 
from 10 to 12 and from 2 to 4, except Saturdays, when it will be closed 
in the afternoon. 

VII. A list of Posts in this Department, together with the title, 
name of Commander, and nifflit of meeting, is appended for the con- 
venience of I'osts and Comrades. 

By order of 

II. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirck, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., "j 
366 Washington Street, Room 4, V 
General Orders "I Boston, March 11, l.s72. J 

No. 3. / 

I. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors: P. N. Sprague of Post 104, E. W. Tombs of Post 59, Geo. 
H. Howard of Post 57, Chas. H. Littletield of Post 39, Edward Towns- 
end of Post 37, E. P. Bowen of Post 46. They will be obeyed and 
respected accordingly. 

II. The following list of districts, with assignments, is published 
for the information of the Posts : — 

First District : I'osts 7, 15, 30, 113, 134, and 138. Geo. II. Howard, 
E. Cambridge, Assistant Inspector. 

Second District : Posts 23, 26, 57, 68, 143, and 144. AV. II. Cunning- 
ham, S. Boston, Assistant Inspector. 

Third District: Posts 4, 11, 32, 35, 94, and 125. S. M. Weale, E. 
Boston, Assistant Inspector. 

Fourth District: Posts 56, 62, 66, 81, and 139. G. F. Frost, Wal- 
tham. Assistant Inspector. 

Fifth District : Posts 34, 82, 89, 90, 118, and 132. Geo. W. Wilson, 
Lynn, Assistant Inspector. 

Sixth District: Posts 5, 12, 33, 75, and 95. C. B. Baldwin, Mel- 
rose, Assistant Inspector. 

Seventh District: Posts 21, 29, 105, 117, and 142. W. B. C. Emer- 
son, Newton, Assistant Inspector. 

Eighth District: Posts 8, 13, 73, 74, 76, 78, and 124. W. H. 
Osborne, East Bridgewater, Assistant Inspector. 

Ninth District: Posts 40, 58, 87, 88, and 112. P. N. Sprague, 
Ilingham, Assistant Inspector, 

Tenth District: Posts 52, 72, 91, 110, and 121. J. Silloway, Jr., 
Canton. Assistant Inspector. 

Eleventh District: Posts 83, 104, 111, and 127. John Corthell, S. 
Scituatc, Assistant Inspector. 

Twelfth District: Posts 49, 100, 101, 108, 114, and 122. E. L. 
Noycs, NeAvV)uryport, Assistant Inspector. 

Thirteenth District: Posts 39, 42, 45, 47, 67, 102, and 106. Chas. 
H. Littleficld, Lawrence, Assistant Inspector. 

Fourteenth District: Posts 1, 3, 46, 55, 129, 133, 141, 145, and 146. 
E. P. Bowen, Fall Kiver, Assistant Inspector. 

Fifteenth District: Posts 6, 14, 18, 22, 43, 63, and 70. Geo. H. 
Patch, S. Framinsrham, Assistant Inspector. 

Sixteenth District: Posts 9, 48,54, 59, 64, 86, 96, and 135. E. C. 
Whitney, Marlboro, Assistant Inspector. 



128 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Sevetiteeirth District: Posts 10, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, 00, 61, 77,97, 
90, 107, 131, and lo6. A. M. Parker and James F. Meecii, Worcester, 
Assistant Inspectors. 

Eighteenlh District: Posts 19, 31, 50, 53, 69, 109, 116, and 123. 
E. W. Toombs, Sterling, Assistant Inspector. 

Nineteenth District: Posts 37, ;>S, 51, 05, 85, and 140. Edward 
Townsend, Spencer, Assistant Inspector. 

Twentietli District: Posts 16, 41, 71, 103, and 119. A. O. Kinney, 
Cliicopee, Assistant Inspector. 

Twenty-flrst District: Posts 17, 36, 44, 80, 92, 93, and 120. Ed- 
mund Boltwood, Amherst, Assistant Inspector. 

Twenty-second District: Posts 79, 98, 115, 126, 130, and 137. E. 
M. Wood, S. Adams, Assistant Inspector. 

Post 2 will be under charge of F. B. Smi-th, Nantucl^et, Assistant 
Inspector. 

Post 128 Avill be under charge of J. A. Small, Provincetown, Assist- 
ant Inspector. 

III. The Dcpartmefit Inspector will enjoin upon his assistants the 
necessity of prompt action, and the attention of Post Commanders is 
called to recent General Orders from National fleadciuarters. Bear in 
mind that upon the first of April a report must be forwarded to these 
lleadcpiarters of the amount disbursed, for charity, from whatever 
source, for the year ending March 31, witli number of comrades aided, 
together with the number aided who were not comrades; also, a sui"- 
geon's report, giving number of members wounded, nature of Avounds, 
etc. Posts that have not the retiuisite blanks for the latter (Form 
F), will order them at once. These reports, witli the Adjutant's and 
Quartermaster's reports for first quarter, 1872, must be forwarded to- 
gether by the Post Commanders promptly upon the first of the month, 
in order that this Department may not be behind others in the grand 
summing up. 

At the present time only one Post in our Department is in arrears 
for reports or dues, and the Commander trusts that every Post will 
respond cheerfully and with alacrity to the foregoing. 

For the purpose of receiving the needful instructions to secure 
uniformity in the work and to promote the efficiency of the Inspection 
Department, the several Assistant Inspectors are hereby directed to 
meet the Department Inspector at these Headquarters, on Saturday, 
March 16, at 2 r.M. 

:(: ******** 

By order of 

H. li. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General . 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R , 
366 Washington Street, Room 4, 
General Orders ) Boston, April 6, 1872. 



No. 



Orders "I 
4. / 



II. Post Commanders who have not forwarded reports for last 
quarter, are again reminded that they must do so at once, as the consoli- 
dated reports will be forwarded to National Headquarters upon the 15th 
inst. There is required an Adjutant's report, a Quartermaster's report, 
a Surgeon's report (Form F), and a report of the relief work done by 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 129 



Posts dnrinc the j'ear ending March 31. Posts in arrears for either or 
all of the above are urged to use dispatcli and show a clear record. 
Communications from Posts to Department Headquarters should always 
be signed by Post Commanders. 

********* 

IV. Comrade E. W. Toombs having tendered his resignation as 
Assistant Inspector, 18th District, the same is hereby accepted and 
his successor Avill be announced in future Orders. 

V. Comrade Charles H. Chase of Post 34 has been appointed Aide 
on the Staff of the Commander, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

By order of 

H. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquauteus Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
General Orders \ Boston, June 6, 1872. 

No. 5. / 

I. Comrade Edward B. Macy of Post 19 is hereby appointed As- 
sistant Inspector of the 18th District, vice Toombs, resigned. 

II. The folloAving Posts have l)een organized since the promulga- 
tion of General Orders No. 2 : Isaac Dean PauUNo. 55, Taunton, Frederick 
Thayer, Commander. Post No. 84, S. Deerfield, Lorenzo Draper, Com- 
mander. Post No. 147, Norwood, Chas. B. Dexter, Commander. Post 
No. 148, Winchester, John T. Wilson, Commander. 

III. The Commander has noticed, in visiting Posts, that comrades 
from other Posts are admitted upon being vouched for by comrades of 
the Posts visited, when unable to pass an examination. Conu-ades must 
not vouch for members, unless they know them to be in good standing 
in the Posts from which they hail. 

The Commander has also noticed that some of the Posts have not 
established a Post countersign for the inner door. Post Commanders 
will at once communicate a countersign to their own members, to be 
used at the inner door, wherever it has not already been done. 

The odicers of Posts who have duties to perform at the ceremony 
of Muster-in of Recruits are urged to memorize their parts of the Ritual, 
as the service is thereby made much more impressive. 

IV. Badges at eighty cents each, and extra ribbons at fifteen cents, 
may be had by applying to the Assistant Adjutant-General, through 
Post Quartermasters. 

V. The Commander desires to know the amount of money appro- 
priated by towns for the observance of Memorial Day in this Depart- 
ment ; and Post Commanders will please forward Avith their reports for 
the second quarter a statement of the amount received by their Posts. 

********* 

Post Commanders will see that all rejections are entered in the 
Black Book as fast as published, and Investigating Committees will in 
all cases refer to the same before reporting upon applications. 

VII. (iiiarterly reports from Posts will be due July 1. The Com- 
mander trusts that lie has only to remind Post Commanders of the 
necessity for promptness on their part, in order that the consolidated 
reports may be forwarded to National Ileadciuarters before July 20. 
At the National Encanii)nieiit this was pronounced " the most tliorougldy 
organized and ellicieut Department in the Order," If we would maintain 

9 



130 EARLY HISTORY DErT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



this position, we must keep the files well closed. Posts 109, 110, 115 and 
130 are in arrears for reports for first quarter, 1872. 

********* 

XI. It is recommended that the copy of the " Proceedings of the 
National Encampment," which accompanies this Order, should be read 
to each Post the first regular meeting after its receipt. 

By order of 

II. R. SIBLEY, 
Henky B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass 
3G6 WASiiiNcrroN Street, Room 
General Orders \ - Boston, Sept 

Ko. 0. i 



, G.A.R., 1 

OOM -I, >• 

,. 1), 1872.) 



VI. The following Posts are in arrears for reports: — Posts 52, 
77, 88, 10, 110 (two quarters), 115 (two quarters), 130 (two quarters), 
132, 137, and 138. 

VII. At a regular meeting of the Council of Administration, held 
September 4, the resignation of Comrade H. A. Cushman, a member 
thereof, was received and accepted ; and Comrade Lemuel Pope of Post 
135 W'as unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. 

VIII. The Commander has noticed, in visiting the Posts, that 
some of the Quartermasters accounts are loosely and badly kept. This 
should be remedied at once, and a ledger account kept with every mem- 
ber in permanent form. He has also noticed, in many instances, that 
the files of orders from National and Department Headquarters were 
incomplete ; and Post Commanders are reminded that copies of orders 
are sent to them to be read to the Post and placed on file, and not for 
their own personal information. 

IX. The Rules and Regulations, as revised at the last National 
Encampment, have been received, and can be obtained from these Head- 
quarters, at eight cents per copy. 

By order of 

H. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



572. J 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R. 
366 Washington Street, Room 4, 
Circular. Boston, June 12, 18/ 

I. The Department Commander has accepted the invitation of 
Post 11, to command the Posts to take part in the celebration of the 
Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and "the Dedication of the 
Soldiers and Sailors' Monument in Chai'lestown, on the 17th inst. 

On the morning of the 17th, the Headquarters of the Department 
will be at Grand Army Hall in that city. 

The several Posts Avill be divided into companies of twenty men 
each, as near as practicable. 

The line of the Grand Army is to be formed on Main Street, with 
the right resting on City Square ; and, as the procession is to move 
promptly at 10 o'clock, every Post should be in place at 9.30. "The 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 131 



Assistant Adjutant-General -will form the Posts in numerical order, and 
will divide the command into two divisions. The first will be com- 
manded by Comrade (i. A. Churchill, Junior Vice-Commauder, and the 
second by Comrade Geo. II. Long, chief of the honorary Stall' of the 
Department Commander. 

Posts arrivinji: by the Eastern and Boston and Maine Haiiroads will 
leave the train at Prison Point Station. The commanding; officer of each 
Post or detachment will report upon arrival to Comrade II. B. Peirce, 
the Assistant Adjutant-General, for assignment in the line. 

Comrades will appear in dark clothes (citizens'), with G.A.R. cap, 
or in United States regulation blouse and belt, with same < ap ; and no 
other uniform will be worn. 

II. The several Boston Posts will assemble on the Common (Tre- 
mont Street mall), right resting on Park Street, at 8.40 a.m., promptly, 
and will then proceed to Charlestown under command of Junior Vice- 
Commander Churchill. 

Post Commanders Avill report as above to Comrade S. M. "Weale, 
Asst. Adjt.-Gen. of the First Division. 

By order of 

H. K. SIBLEY, 
Henuy B- Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass 
3GG Washington 
General Orders") 
No. 7. i 



;PT. OF Mass., G.A.R., 1 
N Street, Room 4, >- 
Boston, Dec. 5, 1872. ) 



II. Comrade John W. Bigelow of Post 87 has been appointed As- 
sistant Inspector, vice Townseud, resigned. Comrade Franklin Jacobs 
of Post 112 has been appointed Assistant Inspector, vice Corthell, re- 
signed. They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

III. The following Posts are in arrears for reports : Posts 6, 31, 
36, 62, lU 115 (three quarters), 128, 132 and, 134. 

V. The annual Encampment of this Department will be held in the 
hall of Thos. G. Stevenson Post No. 26, Guild Row, Boston Highlands, 
on Wednesday, Jan. liJ, 1S73, at 12 o'clock m., for the election of Depart- 
ment officers and such other business as may come before it. Posts will 
be entitled to representation in the ratio of one delegate for every fifty 
meml)ers, with one additional number for a tinal fraction of more than 
half that number ; but each Post, whatever its numbers, shall be entitled 
to choose at least one mendjcr. 

As none but regularly-elected delegates, or alternates, will be ad- 
mitted to seats in the Encampment (Past Commanders being members 
by virtue of their office), care Avill be taken to elect none but those who 
will attend. Delegates and Post officers are elected for one year at the 
last regular meeting in December. 

VI. Post Commanders are reminded that it is their duty to for- 
ward all reports (Adjutant's, Quarterma.ster's, and Surgeon's), and that 
they, together Avith all dues and a list of the delegates and alternates, 
must be in the hands of the Assistant Adjutant-General before the 10th 
prox., in order to secure representation in the Encampment. Requisite 
blanks should be ordered at once. 

VII. The Commander of Post 26 will detail an Officer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard, and a sufficient number of Sentinels, for duty 



132 EARLV HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



during the Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to the 
Assistant Adjutant-General at 11.30, on the 15th prox., for instructions. 

VIII. A new countersign will be communicated to the Posts in 
the Department at the annual Encampment; also the recognition sign 
adopted at the National Encampment in May last. 

IX. Comrade W. W. Blackmar, Judge Advocate, is hereby ex- 
cused from duty witli the court-martial convened by General Orders 
No. 6, Par. 1, C. S., from these Headquarters, and Comrade W. H. Cundy 
of Post 7 will act in that capacity. 

By Order of 

H. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjiitant-General. 



OP Mass., G.A.R., "j 
Street, Room 4, J- 
roN, Dec. 12, 1872. j 



Headquarters Dept. op Mass., G.A.R., 
366 Washington Si 
General Orders \ Boston, 

No. 8. / 

I. In accordance with the provisions of the "Installation Cere- 
monies," the following-named Comrades are designated as Mustering 
Officers, and will install the officers of the Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names: A. H. Quint, 1, 146; H. A. Cushman, 3, 55; C. B. 
Baldwin, 4, 12; J. G. B. Adams, 5, 95, 118; J. H. Barnes, 7, 23, 138; H. 
Parsons, 9, 43, 96; A. M. Parker, 10, 131; Geo. S. Ball, 14, 22; G. H. 
Howard, 15, 30, 56; H. M. Phillips, 16, 41, 103; Geo. H. Hoyt, 17, 123; 
G. H. Patch, 18, 63, 142; J. W. Kimball, 19, 53, 69; W. B. C. Emerson, 
21, 62, 81; G. F. Frost, 29, 139; W. H. Cunningham, 32, 125; L. "W. 
Osgood, 33, 75, 148; D. W. Lee, 26, 35, 134; Edmund Boltwood, 36, 97; 
J. W. Bigelovv, 37, 38, 51; Geo. S. Merrill, 39, 47; J. P. Maxfleld, 42, 
102; Luke Lyman, 44, 92; Benj. F. Cook, 45, 67, 106; E. P. Bowen, 46, 
129, 141; S. J. Spaulding, 49, 114, 122; W. J. Coulter, 64; Geo. R. 
Kelso, 66, 143; A. 0. Kinney, 71, 80, 119; J. Silloway, Jr., 72, 94; W. 
McKay, 79, 126, 130; Chas. H. Chase, 82, 89, 90, 132; John Corthell. 83, 
104, 112; A. Withey, 84, 120; J. T. Stevens, 87,88, 110; Luther Day, 
101, 108; P. C. Grover, 105, 117; W. H. Hill, 115; Thos. Sherwin, 121, 
144, 147; S. H. Bugbee, 133, 145; E. W. Toombs, 28, 59; W. H. Osborne, 
13, 52, 124; .Jeremiah Looby, 73, 74, 78. The officers of Posts 34, 68, 
and 113 will be installed by Chief Mustering Officer Geo. T. Childs. 

II. Officers-elect of Posts not enumerated above will be installed 
by the Senior Past Commanders of their respective Posts. 

III. It is recommended to Posts that the ceremonies of installation 
be public, whenever it is convenient and suitable arrangements can be 
made ; care being exercised that no part of the opening, closing, or 
initiatory ceremonies is used, or arty part of the secret work of the order. 

By order of 

H. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Pkirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



.... 

73. J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R 
366 Washington Street, Room 4 
General Orders"! Boston, Jan. 1, 1873 

No. 9. / 

I. Particular attention is called to the following error in General 
Orders No. 7, Par. 5 : " Past Commanders being members (of the Depart- 
ment Encampment) by virtue of their office." It should read "Post 



SEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 133 



Commanders being members," etc., etc. Past Commanders are not 
meni))ers. By a change in the Rules and Regulations at last National 
Encampment, I'ast Department Commanders were made members of the 
Department Encampment so long as they remain in good standing in 
their respective Posts. 

II. Post Commanders are again reminded that all reports, together 
with the dues, and a list of delegates and alternates, must be for- 
warded before the lOtli inst., that the Adjutant's and Quartermaster's 
report must be forwarded together, and that they should be compared 
before forwarding. In several instances Commanders have sent lists of 
delegates and no list of the alternates. 

III. In accordance with the recommendation contained in General 
Orders No. 3, C.S., from National Headquarters, the Commander has 
appointed Comrades William Cogswell of Post 34, James L. Bates of 
Post 58, Jos. A. Titus of Post 10, Luke Lyman of Post 44, and Chas, B. 
Fox of Post GS, a committee to consider the resolutions referred to 
therein. They will report to the Department Encampment. 

IV. The Council of Administration Avill meet at the Headquarters 
of Post 26, Boston Highlands, on the 15th inst., at 10 a.m. 

By order of 

H. R. SIBLEY, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




A. B. UNDERWOOD, 

Department CopvUviander, 

i873- 



PROCEEDINGS 

OK TIIK 

ENCAMPMENT AT FITCHBURG, 
1874. 



JANUARY 21.— EVENING SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 7 o'clock, by Com- 
mander Underwood, all of the Department ofQcers present except 
Medical-Director D. D. Gilbert and Chief Mustering Officer 
J. G. B. Adams. 

The roll was called, and 248 comrades, representing 96 
Posts, answered to their names. 

The Commander inforined the Encampment that in response 
to an invitation the Commander-in-Chief, Comrade Charles 
Devens, Jr., with several members of his staff, was in the city 
for the purpose of attending this meeting, and it was 

Voted, That a committee of five comrades be appointed to 
wait upon the Commander-in-Chief and request his presence. 

The Commander appointed Comrades Kimball, Senior Vice- 
Commander Granger of Post 26, Merrill of Post 39, Pickett 
of Post 10, and Lyman of Post 44, to constitute that committee. 

In the temporary absence of the Chaplain, prayer was offered 
by Comrade Fiske of Post 21. 

Post 19 elected four delegates at their annual meeting in 
December, that being the number to which they were entitled by 
their Adjutant's report for third quarter, 1873 ; but the report for 
fourth quarter only provided for two, and accordingly only two 
were admitted. Comrade Macy, on behalf of the delegation, 
asked that the remaining two be admitted. 

Comrade Parsons, of Post 45, asked admission. The Com- 
mander had declared the election of Post 45, held in December, 
to be illegal, and that the several offices were vacant. Comrade 

135 



136 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Parsons was elected a delegate by that election, and was the only 
representative of his Post now present. 

Voted, To admit the delegates in question to the evening 
session without permission to act. 

Voted, To dispense with the reading of the records of the 
last Encampment. 

Voted, To pass over business from the Council of Admin- 
istration. 

At this point the Commander-in-Chief entered the hall, 
accompanied by Adjutant-General Sibley, A.D.C. Attwood, and 
the committee appointed to wait upon him. Comrade Devens 
was presented to the Encampment by the Commander in a few 
well-chosen words, and was received, on their part, with loud and 
enthusiastic cheering. In response, the Commander-in-Chief 
briefly and eloquently addressed the Encampment. 

Then followed the Commander's address. 



ADDUESS OF COMMANDER UNDERWOOD. 
Comrades : 

Another year has closed in prosperity to our cherished or- 
ganization. Another year, which that merciful Providence who 
saved us from the perils of the field and the sea, has permitted so 
many of us to live and enjoy the blessings of peace, which, under 
His guidance, we helped to conquer. To the God of battles and 
the Giver of peace and good-will on earth, let us now, as always, 
first render our grateful acknowledgments. 

In this Order of ours, which, from its constitution, must be 
short-lived, a wise precedent expects that the chief honors con- 
ferred by you will not linger long in any hands, but be rapidly 
transmitted to the many, fully as deserving, who are waiting to 
receive them. This precedent meets my sincere approval, and 
conforms to my personal wishes. In surrendering back to you 
now, at the expiration of my term of office, the high trust which 
in your great partiality — surely for no deserts of mine — you 
confided to me a year ago, I shall also follow precedent, and 
doubtless conform to your expectations, in giving an account, 
though it be but a hurried one, of my administration of your 
affairs, of the state of the Department, and some results of my 
observations. 

During the past year this Department has maintained its 
growth, and been maturing in strength, character, and useful- 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 137 

ness. Considering the condition of other Departments, ours in 
Massachusetts has had a remarkable history. It has been my 
privilege to watch and be familiar with its successive changes. 
I was attracted to the Order, and became a member in 1867, the 
year in which the Department was permanently organized, with 
ten Posts and about 250 members. 

January 1, 18G8, it had 40 Posts and 1,1)00 members. 
" 18G9, " 73 " 6,181) " 

" 1870, " 117 " 9,000 " 

" 1871, " 142 " 10,800 " 

" 1872, " 144 " 11,208 " 

" 1873, " 145 " 11,000 

All this while we have been recruiting our ranks, death has 
been recruiting his. The wounds, the fevers, and the hardships 
of the service, have been the enemy's allies, and now henceforth 
he will gather his trophies rapidly. 

During a part of this period, too, the unfortunate change to 
the grade system, with its complications ; the dropping of mem- 
bers for non-payment of dues, from misfortune, perhaps, oftener 
from loss of interest, or from never having had any ; and the 
lopping off of the unworthy, have made heavy drains upon our 
membership. To keep our numbers recruited up, and steadily to 
gain during nearly all this time, proves great merit in our organi- 
zation. 

For the future we cannot expect our numbers to be largely 
augmented, only to hold our own as long as natural causes will 
permit. We expect and invite no substitutes into our veteran 
ranks ; only those tried and proved in the ordeal of active service 
can enter our doors, and of such the number is lessening. 
While we have been steadily and healthily growing, some 
Departments have been retrograding ; some have disappeared 
except on paper ; none have continued their growth as we have. 

To-day our Department is larger in numbers than any in the 
Union, larger than New York and Pennsylvania combined, which 
are larger than au}^ but Massachusetts, and to-day Massachusetts 
is paj'ing a heavy tax to the National organization. This great 
prosperity is due to the energy and fidelity, comrades, of you, 
and the Posts you represent; and to the pei'sistency with which 
you all have kept politics out of our proceedings ; and to the 
loyalty with which the great majority of our comrades have clung 
to and illustrated the fundamental principles of our Order. 

The interest prevalent among us has been manifested in 
many ways the past year. Among the most noticeable features of 
a public character have been the very successful county parades, 
that took place the past autuuni. Our conn-ades of F^ssex County 
alone had shown their enterprise and enthusiastic spirit by local 



138 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

parades, till in 1872 Plymouth County was induced to follow this 
worthy lead, and this past year two more counties. The first of 
three parades last September, was at Taunton : 24 Posts from 
Plymouth, Bristol, and Norfolk Counties, commanded by Past 
Department Commander Bates, 1,200 comrades in line. The 
next at Lynn, the annual parade of Essex County : 13 Posts, 1,300 
comrades, under command of Comrade Dal ton, of Post 34. The 
third at Worcester, of 21 Posts from that county : 1,300 comrades 
in line, commanded by Post Commander Meech, of Post 10. A 
novel and interesting feature here, was a mammoth camp-fire, 
and torch-light parade in the evening. A fourth parade was held 
in October, at Lowell, of the Posts of Middlesex County : 22 
Posts and 1,200 comrades, commanded by Past Department 
Commander Sibley. These four parades were all skilfully man- 
aged, well officered, and ranks orderly and soldierlike, as be- 
comes our Order. The movements were generally prompt, and 
in Essex, notably, the march was completed to the minute on the 
schedule. 

They were inspiring occasions. It stirred the blood of old 
soldiers in an unwonted way, to see these solid columns of vet- 
erans marching steadily, with that old mving that veterans can 
never forget, and none others imitate, with which they marched 
to scores of victories, and even back from plucky defeats ; and 
to ride down the long lines of those bronzed and scarred heroes 
of the Peninsula and the Wilderness, of Antietam and Gettysburg, 
Roanoke Island, New Berne, Fort Wagner, Port Hudson and the 
March to the Sea, and perhaps of the Hartford and the Kearsarge, 
the hundred fluttering colors, symbols of as many victories they 
had helped to win for the old flag. 

And these brave old lines melted away, the day after, into 
the same diligent and staid and trusted citizens they had been the 
day before. 

Two of these occasions were honored with the presence of 
the Commander-in-Chief, our distinguished Massachusetts Com- 
rade Devens ; at one there was present the Senior Vice-Com- 
mander-in-Chief, Goble, then Commander of the Department of 
New Jersey. 

I trust these county parades will become established as annual 
parades, and that this year the energetic posts of Suffolk County 
will give us a field day, and turn out their solid strength in 
review ; so may the Western and Southern counties as far as 
practicable. 

The county parades do not seem to be attended with some of 
the practical difficulties that the Council of Administration and 
many comrades have anticipated for Department parades, which 
have from time to time been urged. I hope, however, yet to see 
at least one imposing parade of all the Posts of the State. 



EKiHTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. . 139 

Besides these parades, there have been in various sections many 
other gatherings of Posts and comrades, in Post and neighbor- 
hood camp-fires, and interchanges of visits between Posts, some 
of which J had the pleasure of attending ; speeches, camp songs, 
and stories, narratives from campaigns, music, recitations, and 
snatches of the drama, have furnished an abundant and attractive 
variety at these pleasant renewals of old ties ; at the raking 
together, as it were, for one night, of the deserted embers of 
bygone bivouacs, scattering, often copiously, among the ashes, 
hardtack and bacon and the smoke of pipes aud the weed that 
cheers, for Auhl Lang Si/ne. I trust at these camp-fire assem- 
blages, that often verge on midnight, the camp narratives, songs 
and stories of comrades will always be of such a character and 
with such a moral that the Department Chaplain would alwaj^s 
be a welcome and an approving guest. Doubtless our good 
Chaplain, in his exhaustive report on the moral welfare of the 
Department, will put at rest all our misgivings on this score. 

Noteworthy triumphs, the past year, of the enterprise, per- 
severance and noble purposes in our ranks, and as well of the 
continued unbounded confidence of the public in us, have been the 
several fairs which have been held in various places, under the aus- 
pices of some of our Posts : some with gigantic results ; although 
portions of the community welcome fairs about as they would 
visits of the destroying angel. So far as any definite information 
has reached Headquarters, the sums realized have been as fol- 
lows, approximately: at Salem, $7,000; Lynn, 84,000; Chelsea, 
S4,000; Charlestown, $2,500; Cambridge, $2,200; Newbury- 
port, $1,800; East Boston, $1,000: a total of $22,550; and all 
this since September. 

The report of the Inspector will be submitted to you in detail 
by that officer : as it is made up largely from the reports of able 
and painstaking Assistant Inspectors, mostly veterans in the 
Order, of what they see and learn in personal visits to the Posts 
in their several districts, it will give you the best reliable informa- 
tion as to the real condition of the organization among us, and 
the interior workings within the Post rooms. The Department 
owes a debt of gratitude to these self-sacrificing comrades, for 
the work they undeitake, and the traveling to and fro th^y do, 
for the love of the Order. Nothing tends more, doubtless, to 
stimulate and keep up an interest in the Posts, than personal 
visits of inspecting and other officers of the Department, with 
words of cheer and counsel. The Department cannot now afford 
to increase the expense in this direction, however advantageous, 
otherwise, it might seem to be to do so. 

From the consolidated reports it will appear that the Grand 
Army in this State was never more flourishing than now, never 
greater interest prevailed, nor more gratifying results achieved 



140 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

iu Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, and I hasten to say the 
credit mostly belongs to the members of the Posts themselves. 
It. is interesting information to find by the reports that the 
approximate total charity fund of all the Posts, on September 
30, amounted to $04,474.74; that there was expended in charity 
for the year, approximately, $38,000; while generally interest 
prevails in Posts, and the meetings are attractive and therefore 
well attended, it is not always the case in some, and far from 
the case in others. Pains must be taken in tlie working of 
Posts, to insure success, as in all other undertakmgs in this 
probationary world ; and in the Grand Army of the Republic it 
must be by competent executive otticers. or committees. We 
never put much stress on Ritual in Massachusetts ; we expect it to 
give us tests by which we are to distinguish those who seek and 
are found worthy to be of us, and to remind us ever of our princi- 
ples ; that is about all. Ritual alone will not make crowded meet- 
ings ; it will take something more ; interesting business, active 
work in charity, debates, narratives, entertainments, social features. 
I recommend an inquiry into the working of the Marlboro system, 
the holding of monthly tea-parties in the Post room, with the 
wives and sweethearts and mothers, who were our wannest and 
bravest and most patient and self- forgetting allies at home, 
while we were in the field. 

It has seemed to me, if each Post could have some competent 
committee to look after it, that much might be made of narra- 
tives of army experience, descriptions, discussions of army scenes 
and campaigns by the several members, each in his own way, 
whether by essays, lectures, perhaps familiar letters, reading from 
diaries, with accompanying explanations, even off-hand talks 
about occurrences in the field. Any and all of these, whether 
from the highest officer or the humblest private, would be interest- 
ing, often even thrilling. Who of us would not listen hours to 
hear such narratives? A time is coming when attentive ears 
will listen with awe to stories from these veteran witnesses who 
may survive, of the old fights in the field or on the sea. Let us 
now, while the history of the war is being written, hasten to 
gather up and preserve all this valuable testimony accessible, 
before too many of these witnesses disappear forever. 

The report of the Assistant Adjutant-General will be first 
presented to you ; it is naturally first in order. By it, it will 
appear that the number of comrades in good standing in the 
Department is, by latest reports, about 11,000 ; number dropped 
during the year for non-payment of dues, 1,482; restored to 
membership, 1,077; discharged, 131; net apparent loss, 131; 
but mostly a loss of those who are no help to us. Number of 
new Posts chartered during the year, including January, 8 ; 
number of Posts that have surrendered their charters or had them 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 141 

revoked, 7 ; number iu arrears for reports or dues, 0. All the 
ills that the Grand Army existence is heir to, all the shortcomings 
of otiicers, and often of members, are known to the Assistant 
Adjutant-General ; he will doubtless present his usual bill of 
indictment. I pray that the I'ost Commanders present will not 
despise the gentle scourging of the Assistant Adjutant-General ; 
" For whom he loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth everyone," 
if they are not up to the mark. I trust peaceable fruits will 
follow. I desire to press home a reflection for the consideration of 
these same worthy executives. The Rules and Regulations, the 
order for services, and Ritual, make the Post Commander, the 
chief and representative of his Post, responsible for its reports, 
returns, and correspondence to the Department Commander. His 
acts and opinions, and those of the Post tlirough him, the Depart- 
ment Commander revises or atlirms on appeal or otherwise. The 
Department Commander should always know that the Post 
Commander has personal cognizance of all the correspondence 
with his Post. Yet though orders on this subject have been 
repeated by nearly every Department Commander, communi- 
cations still come, in too many cases signed by the Post Adjutant, 
and not by the Commander, and necessary delay is caused by 
returning them. Comrades are hardly aware, probably, of the 
number of questions referred during the year to Headquarters, 
to be illumined by some of that wisdom with which they seem to be 
credited ; many of these can be answered by referring to orders, 
and the Regulations with which all Post Commanders certainly 
should be familiar ; many nobody could answer; many, together 
with all court-martial proceedings, are referred first to the Judge 
Advocate for his legal opinion ; he will doubtless report to you the 
number of opinions rendered by him in the year, together with 
any suggestions that from experience in his Department he may 
deem to be of advantage. 

The Rules and Regulations provide for trials by courts-mar- 
tial, which shall bo governed in their mode of proceeding and 
rules and evidence by the Revised United States Army Regula- 
tions, and luilitary usage. The Department Commander must 
administer the law as he finds it, impartially. Sometimes the 
sentence is disapproved, and perhaps an unworthy member goes 
unpunished, because the proceedings are not even within gun-shot 
of the recpiirements. Better bear with these erring 1 rethern a 
little longer, than suffer the reproach o.f having tried them un- 
fairly. It would be well, often, if in constituting courts the Post 
Commander could select as Judge Advocate or member, some 
comrade who had a little experience in army courts-martial. 

An important report will be that from the Assistant Quar- 
termaster-General. The financial problem tries us in this vale of 
sorrows, disagreeably often. Our Quartermaster assures us 



142 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

though, that we about make both ends meet, by due economy. 
It has been necessary for Headquarters to be as economical as 
possible the past year, and save mone}^ where we could. Inspec- 
tion expenses are a somewhat heavy tax, though this year they 
have been only §400 or less, against S801.4-4 last. It will be 
borne in mind, this year we have been relieved from one of the 
two inspections formerly prescribed. Traveling and hotel ex- 
penses are the items that cost the Department. The comrades 
who perform the duty generously give us their time, often at a 
sacrifice to them. Doubtless most of the Posts would cheerfully 
share a portion of these expenses with the Department, if it were 
thought desirable ; the hotel expenses if nothing else. It will be 
prudent for the Encampment to seek some mode of reducing the 
expenses, as an examination of the reports of the Assistant 
(.Quartermaster-General for the several years will show. In the 
following exhibit, the expenses include national dues, salaries, 
inspection expenses, rent, printing, traveling expenses of 
delegates. 

In the year 1869 the net income was §1,787.41 

Expense 1,528.66 

Balance exclusive of Cash balances S258.75 

In the year 1870 there was no printed I'eport. 

In the 3'ear 1871 the net income was S4,714.10 

Expense - 4,448.12 

Balance 8265.98 

In the year 1872 the net income was S4, 18 1.46 

Expense . 5,246.98 

Balance deficit $1,065.52 

In the year 1873 receipts were ........ 83,734.40 

Expenses 3,739.34 

Balance deficit 84.94 

In some years expenses are paid that propei'ly belong to the 
previous year. We pay now about 81,500 yearly as dues to the 
National Headquarters, or more than one-third of our whole 
income, and it is due to you to say Massachusetts has alwaj's 
promptl}' and scrupulously paid these dues, as she has faithfully 
performed her other duties in the Order, with a delicate regard, 
we think, to the proprieties. The National Encampment, this 
year, permitted us to select for Commander-in-Chief, a distin- 
guished son of our own State. Whether our delegates to the 
next Encampment should urge a reduction of the national dues, 
it is for them to say, aided by such expression from this body as 
it may feel called upon to make. The fire which occurred in 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



143 



Boston, last Memorial Da}^ destroyed property of Post 113, and 
of both the Department and National Headquarters. It has been 
necessary to replace, at considerable expense, books and blanks 
lost by the Department. A greater loss, which it has not been 
so easy to replace, was that of the Department records and files 
of orders, vouchers and papers. It is a significant fact, stated 
on the authority of the Assistant (Quartermaster-General, that 
within tlie last iour years the comrades of this Department have 
paid in for badges the sum of $10,000. That is no mean tribute 
to the high standing of the organization, and expresses the value 
the comrades put upon these symljols of membership. The last 
National Encampment, acting under an article long standing in 
the Regulations, selected a badge designating olHcial position in 
the Grantl Army of the Kepublic and recommended it to the 
Departments ancl Posts for adoption. It wisely, I think, left it 
to their option, and did not limit the purchase, so that it should 
be left to any one contractor. This badge is intended to be 
simple, a combination with the bronze star of membership, and 
furnishes a convenient and suitable means of designating responsi- 
ble otticers, on public occasions, parades, Memorial-Day services, 
and otherwise. It is already largely worn in the Posts of this 
and other Departments. 

The Chief Mustering-Otficer was called upon to provide for 
the installation of all the I*ost officers at the opening of the new 
year, and nearly all at the same time. His brief report will 
hardly give an idea of the aggregate amount of work done in this 
service by the Assistant Inspectors and Past Post Commanders. 

We must look to the Medical Director for a careful review 
of our sanitary condition ; but we know as well as he that the 
Avounds of victor}^ as well as the tortures of defeat, the old shell 
and the bullet-scars, the sufferings of the prison-pen, though now 
long over, keep on silently doing their work. Our time is short, 
comrades. Whatever we are to do, let us do quickly and together. 
As the gaps thicken in our line, let us close up closer, feel the 
touch of each other's elbows, and push forward the column, 
holding high our banner so that all can read on its folds. Fra- 
ternity, Charity, and Loyalty. Let us as a society undertake 
nothing that is not fairly in accord with our principles ; let us 
neglect nothing that is. One noble duty we can perform better 
than anyone eise, and we can perform it better today than ever 
again ; and that is to collect, without delay, every record we can 
find of every comrade who has fallen in battle, or died in 
service, or at homo in peace, and put it in such permanent form, 
and in such safekeeping, that their and our children and children's 
children may know what manner of men were their fathers, and 
what sacrifices were the price of the nation's salvation. And if 
there is no recordv as, alas, in many cases — even of the noblest 



144 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

— there is not, make one. You the living witnesses, Avhile yet 
you may, testify what you saw and knew of this comrade and 
that. In a hundred years your testimony will be reckoned 
among the treasures of history. Tell the orators who write your 
Memorial-Day addresses, or speak to you when you dedicate 
monuments and memorial halls ; and your simple stories they 
quote will outlive all the rhetoric of their most polished speeches. 
There was no soldier or sailor Avho did his jduty, whether the 
highest officer or the humblest man in the ranks, whose record is 
not worthy of being preserved. See to it now that every honored 
name from your neighborhood is placed upon some roll of honor, 
memorial tablet, town or city record ; printed records, if possible, 
with the letter, number, and name of the company, regiment, 
battery, ship, or organization in which he served. With this key, 
and with this alone, perhaps you and posterity can trace the 
career of every comrade who served from Massachusetts in the 
Adjutant-General's Record of our Volunteers, published by the 
wise forethought of the legislature of our beloved Commonwealth ; 
and a copy of which should be in every Post room, and not, as 
was formerly actually provided by law, in every jail and house of 
correction ! surely no soldier who had a worthy record is ever 
found there to read it. With that key, too, we can enter the 
national cemeteries, and find the honored resting-place of each 
fallen soldier, unless he be of that lamentable but brave list which 
the head-stones record as "unknown." Let us, too, keep every 
trophy of glory won by our comrades' valor, and part with it 
reluctantly. Not even a battle-name of defeat, much less of 
victory, would we have dropped from the regimental flags that 
record their bravery, and which should be henceforth sacred. In 
our several spheres, wherever proper, we can deprecate an}' legis- 
lation that would seek to obliterate such precious memories of the 
past. We can safely trust the nation, during this generation at 
least, to preserve these symbols of our brothers' heroism ; and 
can therefore afford to be charitable and magnanimous as we 
should be towards those who honestly differ with us ; especially 
those around whom still lingers the halo of long-trusted leadci'- 
ship. There are records of past services in the councils of the 
nation too noble ever to be forgotten by us who had the honor to 
fight its bat-ties. 

The Council of Administration will submit to you the record 
of its proceedings, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations, 
in which it will appear that it was deemed inexpedient to call 
together the Encampment in July. Before closing, I cannot 
forbear to express my great obligations to the Council, and 
also to the several Chiefs of the staff departmeuts belonging to 
the Headquarters, whose able, efficient, and willing services, 
rendered always with courtesy alike to the Commander and the 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 145 

comrades, have contributed whatever of success has attended the 
administration this year. It will not be deemed invidious, I 
trust, to especially mention the Assistant Adjutnnt-General. Com- 
rade Peirce, whose wliole time is devoted — in fact, his body and 
soul — to the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

The duties of my personal staff have not been arduous — 
that was my loss — but such as they were have lieen courteously 
rendered. 

Comrades, I have already detained you too loug from 3'our 
deliberations ; trusting these will be wise and harmonious, aud 
contribute to the still greater success of our Order in this Depart- 
ment, I again thank you sincerely for conferriug upon me the 
highest distinction in your gift. And wheu, at the end of this 
P^ncampment, I shall return agani to the illustrious ranks of the 
Grand Army, I shall carry with me a precious and lasting 
remembrance of the generous regard and confidence with which I 
was once honored by the representatives of eleven thousand of 
the veteran soldiers and sailors of Massachusetts. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, January 21, 1874. 
Commander and Comradea of the Department: 

I have the honor to submit the following report for the year 
1.S73: — 

Number of Posts, December 31, 1872 14'J 

Number of members, in good standing, appearing upon 

report for fourth quarter, 1872 11,219 

Number of Posts, December 31, 1873 Ifd 

Number of members, in good standing, appearing upon 

report for fourth quarter, 1873 11,0<S8 

The following charters have been surrendered during the 
year : — 

Post 40 North Weymouth. 

" '.)2 Easthampton. 

" 100 Ipswich. 

"106 Kockport. 

"119 South Iladley Falls. 

" 135 Acton. 

The following charters have been granted during the year : 

Post 40 Maiden. 

" 92 Brighton. 

"100 West Brookfield. 

"106 Holbrook. 

" 119 Lexington. 

10 



146 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Post 135 Shrewsbury. 

"150 Erving. 

" 151 West Newbury. 

Number of members admitted by muster .... 1,451 

" " " transfer .... 234 

" " " reinstatement . . 1,077 

" " lost by death 129 

" " " honorable discharge . . 131 

" " " transfer. . . . . . 260 

" " dropped from the rolls . . . 1,4<S2 

" " suspended 1,251 

" " dishonorably discharged ... 3 

" " remaining suspended .... 1,573 

Number of rejected applications reported during the 

year 50 

The amount disbursed for relief purposes by the several 

Posts during the 3'ear, so far as reported, was . $31,634.40 

Number of comrades and their families aided . . . 739 

Number of soldiers, not members, and families of de- 
ceased soldiers, aided 981 

This report is for one hundred and thirty-seven Posts. The 
status of the remaining fourteen is as follows : viz., Nos. 92, 
Brighton; 135, Shrewsbury; and 151 West Newbury, just 
organized and no reports due. Nos. 20, Blackstone ; 76, Ply- 
mouth; 130 Williamstown ; 140, Sturbridge ; 141, ¥al\ River; 
and 146 New Bedford, no reports received for fourth quarter. 
No 124, East Bridgewater, in arrears for two quarters. 

Post 2, Nantucket, has made no reports for two quarters, and 
their membership upon the Island being reduced to seven com- 
rades, their charter has been annulled by the Commander with 
the advice and consent of the Council of Administration. Posts 
31, Ashburuham ; 115, Lee; and 128, Provincetown, have made 
no reports during the past year, and their charters have also 
been annulled. The action concerning these four Posts was 
taken by the Council at their first meeting of the present year, 
and might properly apply to the year just closed, leaving us one 
hundred and forty-seven Posts at the close of the fiscal year, 
instead of one hundred and fifty-one. 

Post 40, of North Weymouth, was in comparatively good 
condition, but preferred to surrender its charter and identify 
itself with a more prosperous sister Post in the same town. 
The other Posts surrendering were for the most part weak, small 
in numbers, and lacking in all the essential elements which go 
to make a live Post. A letter received from the last known 
Commander of one among the number, gave us the first news 
of such proceeding in the following language: "You needn't 
send no more orders ; our Post is gone up long ago ; we think 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MENT- 147 

the Grand Army is nbont plaj^ed out." Truly it must luivc been 
in that Post ; if that Avas the best they coukl do for a Com- 
mander, it is presumed that their end was timely. 

Although this report shows a falling off of one hundred and 
thirty-one members during the past year, the loss is tempered 
to us in the knowledge that the kind of members which eontril)- 
ute to the "dropped" list do not contribute to our usefulness. 
We think of the quality of a certain tract of land which made 
the owner poorer the more he had of it, and are reconciled. 

A few words about relief work must come in somewhere, or 
the Commander will pronounce my report incomplete. I said 
in my report one year ago, in effect, that Posts should confine 
their relief work to those residing in their own vicinity except 
in extreme cases, and am convinced that I did not put it strong 
enough. AVhile lost in admiration of the generosity displayed 
by individual comrades and relief committees, I am forced to 
deplore their lack of judgment. The story of Charlie Downs, a 
destitute comrade on his way to his home in Maine from Ten- 
nessee, has brought tears to the eyes of many a comrade in this 
Department, and cut down the relief fund of many a Post. He 
did a thriving business, and if any Post was slighted it was 
probably because of an article which appeared in the papeys the 
day it became known at Headquarters that he was excnrsionizing. 

An order was issued early last season asking Post Com- 
manders to notify Headquartei's at once of any applications for 
aid from traveling soldiers, and yet the first notice received of 
the above case began, "About three weeks ago a person calling 
himself Charles Downs," etc. Now in that three weeks he had 
done, on an average, say one Post per da}', and would soon be 
ready to betake himself to "new fields and pastures green," 
while if Headquarters had been notified at once he might have 
been prevailed upon to transfer his field of operations sooner. 
I hope, Post Commanders, that you will, during the coming 
year, take the name of every traveling applicant, and a descrip- 
tion of him, whether you help him to a dinner, to a railroad 
ticket, or a night's lodging, or whether you refuse any aid, and 
send it to Headquarters by the next mail ; in this way we can 
stop these traveling impostors, and protect our citizen friends as 
well as ourselves from being preyed upon. However, the good 
accomplished with our Relief fund overbalances the bad a thou- 
sand times ; it is done in our own midst ; we know it better and 
better every year ; we see comrades cared for, families of the 
slain made comfortable, and never a thought or feeling on the 
part of either that it is a charity. The work is performed in a 
manner never equalled by any organization, and our friends, the 
public, do not tire of their part. Does anyone think that our 
services are to be forgotten? Not yet! Post 31, of Salem, 
spent 8'2,500 last year for relief purposes. They held a fair a 



148 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

few weeks since, and realized $7,000. Panics make no difference, 
they can get all the money they wish, because the people know 
they are making a good use of it. It is so in the Post to which 
I have the honor to belong : it is so in every Post where the com- 
rades are all working together, and are practicing what our Rules 
and Ritual teach. 

I have taken so much of your time in this direction, that I 
must be brief in whatever else there is to say. Plain talk with 
Post officers availeth nothing, when reduced to writing, and em- 
bodied in the Assistant Adjutant-General's report, of that I am 
satisfied ; have tried it two years without any visible effect. Ad- 
jutants and Quartermasters, very many of them, continue to send 
their reports separately, direct to Headquarters, instead of to their 
Post Commander, for comparison and to be forwarded by him, 
and frequently they have to be returned because they do not agree. 
Every Post officer should be familiar with so much of the Rules 
and Regulations as refers to his duties, to say the least; and it is 
not for lack of interest that he does not, but because he does not 
set about it. I have been very moderate in fault-finding through- 
out my report, the Commander having vouchsafed a helping hand 
in that direction. The great fire of May 30 last, destroyed the 
archives of the Department, and every paper pertaining to this 
office, as well as copies of reports forwarded to National Head- 
quarters, which had been transferred to the same room only the 
week before. However, by the kindness of Post officers, in for- 
warding duplicate reports, copies of orders, etc., I have been able 
to restore files and preserve landmarks, so that the actual damage 
was not so great as was feared at first. Notwithstanding an entire 
new supply of desk outfit, stationery, etc., had to be procured, it 
will be noticed in the Assistant Quartermaster-General's report, 
that the office expenses have been reduced from last year. Having' 
exhausted the several topics, and your patience, it only remains 
for me to express my appreciation of the very great kindness 
which has been shown me by the many comrades with whom I 
have held official and pei'sonal converse ; may their trials be few 
and their blessings many. Another year of the history of the 
Grand Army is written, a year fraught with noble impulses and 
good works ; a year in which every true comrade has been bene- 
fited by his connection with the Order, in that he has striven to be 
worthy of the name of comrade. So let the years roll on, each in 
its turn chronicling numberless fraternal, charitable, and loyal 
acts, keeping the pages free from blot or stain, which would surely 
come, were we, as an organization, to depart one iota from the 
strictest letter of our laws concerning everything political or sec- 
tarian. 

Submitted in F., C, and L., 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



EIGHTH anni:al encami'ment. 149 

REPORT OF ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 21, 1874. 
Commander and Comrades of the Department Encamiiment: 

I have the honor to submit the following Report for the yaixr 
1873, in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of our 
Order : — 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand at last Report $102.16 

received for Department dues, fourth quarter, 1872 
" " " " first " 

" " " " second 

" third 

" " arrearages, first quarter, 1872 

" " " second " 1872 

third " 1872 

fourth " 1872 

" Charter fees. Posts 40, 92, 100, 10(i, 110, 13"), 

150, 151 80.00 

" from sales of Badges 1,480.80 

" from sales of Books, Blanks, &c C18.78 

Total $5,945.58 



r, 1872 . 


8!t4.fi4 


1873 . 


886.24 


1873 . 


910.56 


1873 . 


873.52 




2.64 




7.68 


. 


62.48 




16.64 



EXPENDITURES. 

Cash expenditures, as per vouchers $5,838.92 

" on hand, Dec. 31, 1873 106.66 

Total $5 ,945.58 

The expenditures have been for the items, and in the 
amounts named below : — 

For traveling expenses of Delegates to Nat'l Encampment . . $85.00 

" printing Proceedings of last Department Convention . . 140.00 

" expenses of Mustering Officers 11.25 

«' " " Inspectors 178.75 

" salary of Assistant Quartermaster-General (10 months) . 250.00 

" salary of Assistant Adjutant-General (11 months) . . . 1,100.00 

" dues to National Headquarters (3 quarters) 1,041.63 

" Books, Blanks, &c., sold to Posts 1,081.10 

" Badges sold to Posts 1,350.00 

" rent, printing, postage, and incidental expenses of De- 
partment Headquarters 601.10 



Total 



Total assets of Department, December 31, 1873 : — 

Amount due from Posts for Books, Blanks, Badges, &c. 

Value of Books, Blanks, &c., on hand 

Cash on hand 



Total 

Total known liabilities of Department, December 31, 1873 : — 

Salaries, reut,^vnd office expenses 

Dues to Nat'l Headiiuarters for third (juarter, 1873 . . . 

Inspectors' Bills 

Total 

Excess of liabilities over assets $252.61 



^5, 838. 92 


$141.31 
342.65 
106.66 


$590.62 


$222.62 
332.31 

288.30 


$843.23 



150 EARLY HISTORY BEl'T. OK MASS., G.A.R. 

It will be seen from this account, that, while the expenses of 
the Department have been mnch less than in some of the pre- 
ceding years, the expenditures have exceeded the receipts, and 
the Department owes about $250 above its assets. Although 
this may not be an agreeable item of information to this En- 
campment, it is a fact, and one that calls for the serious con- 
sideration of the comrades here assembled. There are many 
present who will remember that for the past two years or more 
I have not ceased, in season and out of season, in Department 
conventions, council meetings, and in private conversation, to 
urge the importance of making some determined and systematic 
effort to reduce the per capita tax paid by Department to 
National Headquarters, as the best apparent means of placmg 
our Department on a souqd financial basis. 

At our last annual convention, it will be remembered that 
the delegates chosen to represent this Department in the National 
Encampment were instructed, by a unanimous vote, " to use 
their endeavors to have the dues reduced from twelve to eight 
cents;" but, so far as I have been able to learn, the question 
was not brought to a vote in the National Encampment ; and 
the delegation will, doubtless, inform this convention what efforts 
were made to carry out their instructions in the matter. 

This Department is now paying annually into the treasury 
of the National Encampment a sum which, in my opinion, is 
nearly if not fully sufficient to cover the entire expenses of Na- 
tional Headquarters under the present economical management. 
This we ought not to do; and, as the condition of our finances 
shows, we cannot afford to do. The burden of debt which 
National Headquarters carried for several years has — by means 
of the large per capita tax, increased from four to twelve cents 
per annum for this specific purpose, and under the excellent 
management of its officers — been wiped out ; and at the present 
time there is a balance of several thousand dollars in its treasury, 
to aid in the accumulation of which this Department has made 
itself penniless. And it seems that we may, through our dele- 
gates to the next National Encampment, ask for a reduction of 
dues as a simple act of justice to this as well as all other Depart- 
ments. I have prepared a brief comparative statement of the 
receipts and expenditures of Department Headquarters during 
the last fonr years, which may be of value to this convention in 
its deliberations upon this as well as other important (questions 

which may come before us. 

• 

RECEIVED. RXPENDFJ). 

For Charter Fees : For Salaries: 

1870 #340.00 1870 . 1,100.83 

1871 90.00 1871 1,7S7 50 

1872 70.00 1872 1,025.00 

1873 80.00 1873 1,350.00 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMP.'MKNT. 151 

For Dues: For Tnspeclion: 

1870 .$3,077.43 1870 $406.03 

1871 3,572.08 1871 270.20 

1872 3,711.10 1872 801.44 

1873 3,fi63.84 1873 178.75 

EXPKXDEI). 

For rent and Incidental cxitenses of FFd- 

q'rs Office, ineludinv traveling expenses jf^r Dues to mu'l Head,imtrters : 
of deleijates to National Conventions : 

1870 $1,160.83 1870 .$284.47 

1871 801.54 1871 1,635.09 

1872 1,424.97 1872 1,395.57 

1873 837.44 1873 (3 q'rs) .... 1,041.03 

In the disastrous fire of May 30, 1873, the estimated loss of 
Department Headquarters in books, blanks, »&c., was $300; and 
office furniture, stationery, &c., valued at about $250. Very 
little of the latter has been replaced, owing to the low state of 
our finances ; and at the present time the Department is not the 
owner of a single desk, table, or chair. There will be noticed in 
the items of rent and office expenses, and in inspection expenses, 
a marked decrease from the figures of last year. 

There are many other facts connected with the financial inter- 
ests of this Department to which I might allude ; but, trusting that 
it has been made plain to the convention that some immediate 
action looking toward retrenchment is demanded, and believing 
that (dl the interests of the Department will be safe in tiie hands 
of those comrades who may be selected to fill the various official 
positions, I will close this my fifth annual report with hearty 
thanks to each of the officers and comrades with whom I have had 
official intercourse, for the many acts of courtesy and considera- 
tion I have received ; and if my services have in any measure, 
however small, contributed to promote the best interests of our 
Order, I am more than repaid for what time and labor the duties 
of niy office have required. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. S. GREENOUGH, 
Assistant Quartermaster-G cneral. 



REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL 
OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Department of Massachusetts, G.A.R., 

Boston, January 21, 1874. 
The Council of Administration, having examined the financial 
account of the Assistant Quartermaster-General of this Depart- 
ment, as directed in Chapter III., Art. VI., Sect. 9, of the Rules 
and Regulations, find the same to be correct, with a balance on 
hand, December 31, 1873, amounting to one hundred and six 
dollars and sixty-six cents (SlOG.fSG). 



152 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



The Council take pleasure in calling the attention of the 
Encampment to the system adopted, and economy practised, 
which has resulted so favorably, showing a reduction in the 
general expenses for the past year of about $700 from that of 
the year previous. 

Respectfully submitted, 

WILLIAM WOODS, 
JAREI) r. MAXFIELD, 
HERBERT E. HILL, 
HENRY WILSON, ,]u., 
GEO. II. IIOYT, 
Council of Administration. 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department Convention : 

Having been appointed Department Inspector by General 
Order No. 2, dated February 11), 1873, I have the honor to 
submit the following report of the condition and efliciency of 
this Department as far as it has come under my charge. Dur- 
ing the year the following comrades w^ei'e appointed Assistant 
Inspectors : 



Brownell, Granger, Post 26 


Boston Highlands. 


James M. Johnston, 


' 125 


South Boston. 


S. M. Weale, 


' 23 


East Boston. 


T. J. Buffum, 


' 130 


Somerville. 


Thomas Swasey, Jr., 


' 82 


Marblehead. 


C. B. Baldwin, 


4 


Melrose. 


W. B. Emerson, 


' 62 


NeAvton. 


Jeremiah Looby, 


' 74 


East Abington. 


P. N. Sprague, 


' 104 


Hingliam. 


J. Silloway, Jr., 


' 94 


Canton. 


Franklin Jacobs, 


" 112 


South Scituate. 


A. M. Tilton, 


' 47 


Haverhill. 


John A. G. Richardson, 


" 42 


, Lowell. 


Fred 8. Gift'ord, 


1 


New Bedford. 


G. H. Patch, 


' 142, 


South Framiiigham. 


Henry Parsons, 


' 43 


Marlboro. 


A. M. Parker, 


' 10 


Worcester. 


James F. Meech, 


' 10 


Worcester. 


W. H. Scammell, 


' 22, 


Mil ford. 


Edward B. Macy, < 


' 19 


Fitchburg. 


J. W. Bigelow, 


' 37 


Spencer. 


A. 0. Kinney, 


' 103 


Chicopee. 


Geo. C. Clapp, 


' 44 


Northampton. 


Herbert C. Joyner, 


" 137 


Gt. Barriugton. 


John A. Mackie, 


' 125 


South Boston. 



KKiHTlI ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. lo3 

The following have resigned during the year : — 

James M. Johnston, Post 125, South Boston. 
S. M. Weale, " 23, East Boston. 

I was very fortunate in the selections made for Assistant In- 
spectors, they proving to be very etMcient in the discharge of 
tlaeir duties. Owing to the neglect, however, of one Assistant 
Inspector in not notifying me of his inability to fully attend to his 
duties, I have been obliged to depend on the reports of the Com- 
manders of a few Posts for their status. From the reports re- 
ceived from the Assistant Inspectors I am happy to be able to say 
to the Convention that as a whole the Department of Massachu- 
setts is stronger today than it ever has been before, if not actually 
in numbers, in the character of the membership and in the interest 
taken by the members. The reports agree with the Assistant 
Adjutant-General's Keport as regards figures, and need not be 
repeated. With the exceptions above stated, the Department has 
been thoroughly inspected, more so, I think, than ever before, as 
some Posts were found working under the old work, and who re- 
ported that they had not seen an Inspector for two years. They 
were beginning to think that the Order was dying out, but they 
have been encouraged by the Assistant Inspector's visits, — have 
taken a fresh start and now seem to be doing well. A few of the 
Posts are reported weak — not so nuich as regards numbers, but 
that the members lack interest. This is caused in some Posts by 
comrades having been elected to office, who having thus attained 
the object of their ambition, have ceased to take any interest 
themselves either in the Posts or the objects of the Order, and 
certainly we cannot expect to find the members taking interest if 
it is lacking in the otficers ; and I would caution comrades against 
electing any one to fill the various otlices simply because he is a 
good fellow. Our Order depends more upon the public than any 
other secret organization, and if we wish to have their sympathy 
and assistance we must elect those who have their confidence and 
respect, and who will do all in their power to promote the objects 
of our association. The officers of other Posts complain that it 
is hard work to get comrades enough present to hold a mt-eting 
unless on some special occasion — caused, perhaps, by comrades 
getting tired of attending meetings where tliere is notliing to in- 
terest them — wiiere nothing is done save reading the Ritual. To 
such Posts I would say, have something special to interest the 
members at every meeting. After closing in due form, admit the 
lady friends of the comrades and have debates, musical or literary 
entertainments, as have been done by some Posts, thereby not 
only increasing the interest of the members but augmenting our 
numbers. There has been a decided increase of fraternal fi-eling 
between the Posts, and I find it is the practice of many to invite 



154 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

neighboring Posts to visit them on any occasion of special interest ; 
this adds to the festivities, and good feeling is thereby engendered 
between comrades. I sincerely trust that the Commander's recom- 
mendation that the Posts should hold county parades, will be fully 
carried out. I believe nothing has ever been done to increase the 
interest in the Order, both among members and the public, so much 
as holding these parades. My Assistant Inspectors report that a 
large number joined the Order the past year that they might be 
able to parade. Some of the Posts I find do not hold meetings 
regularly once a month. This violation of the Rules and Regu- 
lations must cease, or my successor will be obliged to report them 
to the Commander for proper action. In most of the more suc- 
cessful Posts I find that the Ritual has been memorized by the 
officers, and I would urge upon all officers elect to do the same, 
believing that not only will it greatly enhance the solemnity of the 
proceedings, and show that they take an interest in them, but it 
will strengthen the Posts. The expenses of my Department, I am 
happy to state, have been reduced nearly one-half from that of 
last year, though my accounts embrace a portion of last year's 
expenses, and all of this year's. Last year, however, two inspec- 
tions were required. Too much cannot be said in regard to the 
great object of our association ; the relief of our suffering comrades, 
and the widows and orphans whom the dead have left to our care. 
We are sometimes charged with being nothing but a political body ; 
but if those who make these charges could know the amount of 
money expended for charity by different Posts, they would at 
least give us credit for living up to one of the great virtues of our 
Order. I am happy to be able to present to the Convention the 
total amount of money expended for charity by the Posts in this 
Department, for the year ending September 30, 1873; and also 
the total amount remaining in the Relief Funds at that date with 
the exception of a few Posts which do not keep the Relief Fund 
separate. I would urge upon these Posts to establish a Relief 
Fund at once in accordance with Article XII., Chapter V., of the 
Rules and Regulations. The total amount expended for charity 
from September 30, 1872, to September 30, 1873, was $33,441.16 ; 
the total amount remaining in the Relief Funds September 30, 
1873, was $64,474.74. Since then many of the Posts have held 
fairs, entertainments, &c., with great success, and have added 
some thousands of dollars to their Relief Funds, and I feel sure 
that the sympathy of the community at large with the Grand Army 
of the Republic is as strong as ever. I coincide with the views of 
my predecessor in office in saying that on the efficiency of the 
Inspector's Department, depends to a great degree, the success of 
our Order. Through the Assistant Inspectors alone can the De- 
partment come in personal contact with and to a knowledge of the 
needs of each Post. It is necessary of course to have live com- 



EKiHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



155 



rades for Assistant Inspectors, comrades who are Vvell posted in 
the work, who take an interest in the Order, and who would take 
pride in performing their duties promptly and efliciently. Such 
Assistant Inspectors, when once obtained, should in my opinion 
be kept in their position as long as it is possible, and I trust that 
my successor in otlice will find it advantageous to retain most if 
not all the present Assistant Inspectors. I believe they are com- 
rades who are competent to fill the positions with credit to them- 
selves and honor to the Department. In conclusion, I desire to 
thank them for the cordial supi)ort they have given me, and for 
the zeal and ability they have shown in carrying out the orders of 
the Department. 

All of which is respectfully submitted in F., C, and L., 

EDWARD B. BLASLAND, 

Inspector. 



REPORT OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE. 

Department of Massachusetts, G.A.R., 
Judge Advocate's Office, Boston, January 20, 1874. 

Henry B. Peirce, 

Assistant Adjutant- General, JJeparlment of Massachiis(^tfs. 

Comrade : The Judge Advocate has the honor to submit the 
following report : — 

As the opinions of the Judge Advocate of this Department 
are subject to the revision of the Judge Advocate-General, at 
National Headquarters, whose opinions are final, and are of 
record, it would seem unnecessary to make any extended report, 
or to specifically set forth the decisions made during the year 

last past, 

A large number of cases and questions, representing all 
phases of interpretation, which can be readily put upon the Rules 
and Regulations, have been submitted by our worthy Commander 
to his Judge Advocate, who has given his opinion upon them, as 
will appear by the records of the Adjutant-General's office of 
this Department. 

Many interesting questions have come up from the Posts of 
this Department, relating to the legality of elections of officers, 
the holding of stated Post meetings, notice to members of Post 
elections, etc., etc. ; but by far the most numerous and perplex- 
ing questions have arisen upon the enforcement of dicipline in 
the Posts, and reviewing the proceedings of courts-martial. 

In this connection 1 would respectfully suggest the value of 
giving to Posts, throughout the Department, by General Order 
or otherwise, a brief form of proceedings for courts-martial, so 
that uniformity and greater precision may be secured. 



156 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

As the law officer of the Department, I respectfully call the 
attention of the incoming Department officers to the fact that 
the extension of the time for the payment of State Aid expires 
by limitation this year, and as the Grand Army of this Depart- 
ment once rallied, and by persistent and organized effort, suc- 
ceeded in convincing the committee of the legislature, to whom 
the matter was referred, that the Commonwealth could not then 
honorably repudiate its obligations to its wards, our maimed 
comrades, and the widows and orphans of our dead ; so now I 
respectfully suggest the propriety of taking early and united 
action, looking to the further continuance of this necessary relief 
to those who are the objects of our especial care. 

Respectfully, 

WILMON W. BLACKMAR, 

Judge Advocate. 

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S RETORT. 

In the absence of the Medical Director, and no report from 
him having been received, the Assistant Adjutant-General sub- 
mitted the following : — 

Reports have been received from the surgeons of one hun- 
dred and twenty Posts, showing 

Number of comrades having lost right arm 48 

u u tt ii left arm 43 

tt " " " both arms 2 

44 " " " a leg 80 

44 " " " both eyes 1 

44 4 4 4t "a leg and arm .... 2 

44 44 tt been otherwise wounded . 1,528 

4 4 4 4 4 4 been otherwise injured . . 277 

Many of the reports, of which the above is a consolidation, 
are incomplete, the Post Commanders giving as a reason that it 
was impossible to obtain the necessary information from all the 
comrades. If a full report should ever be made up it is believed 
that the number of wounded would be much larger. 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 



REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN. 

After some playful remarks, the Chaplain, Comrade George 
S. Ball, delivered the following, as his report: — 

The Chaplains of our Posts have generally done their duty 
as faithfully as other officers in them. It is not a post often 
sought, however. It is thought, by some comrades, as of no 
importance whether the Post has a chaplain or not. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 157 

I magnify my office. If a true soul among the comrades 
wants to do a good work in his Post, let him aspire to be its 
chaplain. No other office offers so good an opportunity. 

JNIany will hesitate, and ask for the qualifications, thinking 
these are beyond them. The good apostle, Paul, will answer them 
for me. " If any man desire the office of a bishop he desireth a 
good work. He must be tlie husband of one wife, sober, of good 
behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, 
patient. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which 
are without." 

These qualifications are simple, not beyond any true Chris- 
tian soul. Let such take up the work, and make the office so 
(fraud and true that no Post can go on, and satisfy its members, 
without a chaplain. If any class of men ought to be thankful 
and devout, it is that of the soldiers of the last war. Led by the 
unseen hand of God's providence througli ten tliousand death- 
perils, and yet, spared and blessed, all our hearts should over- 
flow with gratitude to Almight}' God. 

We are each year growing fewer. The Grand Army can 
have no recruits. Each year it will grow more and more con- 
spicuous in the community. As its age increases, its influence 
must be greater and greater, if the virtues of its members keep 
pace with increasing years. 

Let us then, officers and comrades, gi'ow into such soldeirs 
of right and God, that we shall be a grand armi/ indeed, the 
grandest of all the church militant. 

Our Memorial Day, observed by every Post in this Depart- 
ment, has become a national festival of memory and sad recall. 
Comrades, who shared with us the perils of field and camp — 
bound to us by all the associations of the soldier's life of hard- 
ship, sickness, suff'ering, and danger, until the name comrade has 
to us all a thrilling meaning — have fallen, and the places that 
have known them here shall know them no more on the earth. In 
the annual memorial, affection finds tender expression, and loyalty 
renewed inspiration. 

They have fallen in a noble cause. God accepted, as I be- 
lieve, their sacrifice. " Greater love than this hatii no man, that 
he lay down his life for his friends." That highest expression 
of humanity they have given. They sleep where no longer the 
long roll of the drum, or the trumpet's exciting note of charge 
shall ever arouse them. 

Their graves are made by the forts they assailed or defended ; 
or on the field their valor won ; or by the homesteads tiiey saved. 
Over the places where affection comes to weep, a grateful country 
would, through comrades, strew with spring flowers. Above 
their sleeping dust we plant the loved colors under which we 
marched together, and the ensign of the country they died to 



158 EARLV HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

save. The last foul stain upon it has been removed by the com- 
bined valor of her volunteer armies, of wliieh they were a part. 
Through their sacrifice it is the Hag of the free. The wave of its 
ample folds is a welcome to the oppressed of all nations on the 
face of the earth, to the home of the brave. 

The day of this honoring, sad but proud, shall grow in im- 
portance as our numbers here grow less, and the graves of our 
comrades increase in number. 

Amid these sacred sepulchres we are assured they are not 
dead. Noble deeds can never die. They live, whose lives fruit 
each age, in the blessings of nobler liberties, grander humanities, 
and purer inspirations to the advancing generations. In the fel- 
lowship of tlieir deeds, then, let us march ; and each year's offer- 
ing of spring flowers shall symbol our faith in the resurrection 
from the dead, the last great victory over the last enemy — 
death. 



The address of the Commander was immediately followed 
by the presentation to him of a gold-headed cane, by Comrade 
H. E. Hill, of the Council of Administration, on behalf of the 
Encampment ; and although the affair was a complete surprise to 
the Commander, he responded with much feeliug and expressed 
his gratitude to the comrades for this additional token of their 
regard. 

Following the reports, Senior Vice-Commander Kimball, on 
behalf of Post 19, extended an invitation to the Encampment to 
a grand promenade concert and ball at City Hall, given in its 
honor. 

Voted, To accept the invitation. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed, to whom shall 
be referred the cases of Posts 19 and 45. Comrades Emery, of 
Post 26, Hoyt, of the Council of Administration, Sherman, of 
Post 39, Bailey, of Post 11, and Blackmar, Judge Advocate, 
appointed. 

Voted, That when we adjourn it be to meet in City Hall, at 
9 o'clock \.n., tomorrow. 

A motion that an Eucampmeiit countersign be given the 
delegates pi-esent, was lost. 

Voted, To adjourn. 



KKJHTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 159 

JANUARY 22. — MOKNING SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 9 o'clock. The roll 
was called, and 294 members answered to their names, 113 Posts 
being rp])reseiited. 

Prayer by Chaplain Ball. 

The following Posts, in good standing, were not represented ; 
viz., 16, 2o, 3G, 41, GO, 80, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 96, 99, 101, 
105, 106, 107, 114, 121, 122, 127, 134, 135, 137, 148, and 151. 

Voted, That comrades of the Order not delegates be admitted 
to rear of sentinels. 

A motJou to admit friends not members was tabled 

The Commander informed the Encampment that by his 
direction a telegram of greeting was sent to the Annnal En- 
campment of the Department of Rhode Island, held one week 
before, and that the following telegram had been received in 

reply : — 

"Pkovidenck, ll.I., Jan. 21, 1874. 
"Little Rhody returns greeting, congratiilatuig her Massachusetts 
comrades upon the peace tlie fathers of the old Bay State sought, and 
theu" sous fought for, and the largest liberty. 

"EDWIN METCALF, 

" Dep't ComriKindcr."' 

The following telegram from Brattleboro, Vt., was then 
read : — 

" Department of Vermont in encampment sends greeting Avitli tliree 
times three, for Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. 

"W. G. VEAZEY, 
" Dep't Commander." 

Voted, That the Commander be reqnested to respond, and 
the following reply was sent : — 

"Congratulations received and submitted to Convention of three 
hundred delegates, and Commander rcijuested to answer back, acknowl- 
edging your thoughtfulness and courtesy. A duty pleasant in the 
extreme, and I cheerfullj' comply. The Bay State will stand shoulder 
to shoulder with the Green Mountain boys in the Grand Army." 

The committee appointed to hear the claim of Post 19, of 
this Department, to be entitled to fonr delegates in this meeting, 
reported unanimonsl}' as follows : — 

" It seems that this case arises from an error in the reports of this 
Post for the fourth quarter, 1«73. Your committee recommend that 
they be allowed to amend their reports, and that the delegates be 
admitted." 



160 KARLY HISTORY' DETT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Voted, To accept and adopt the report. 

A majority of the same committee reported in reference to 
the case of Post 45, as follows : — 

"Your committee find that the Commander has decided that the 
election was irregular and ordered a new election, and while a portion 
of the committee are of the opinion that that (piestion is an open one, 
yet inasmuch as tlie Post acted in good faitli and without intention of 
fraud, they recommend that Comrade C. H. Parsons, of Post 45, be 
admitted as a member to represent his Post." 

Signed by Comrades Emery, Hoyt, and Sherman. 

The minority. Comrades Bailey and Blackmar, reported in 
favor of admitting Comrade Parsons without power to act. 

A motion was made to amend the report of the committee 
in accordance with the minority report. 

Comrade Babbitt moved the previous question, and the 
motion to amend was lost. 

Votrd, To admit Comrade Parsons. 

Senior Yice-Commander Kimball, on behalf of the comrades 
of Post lt>, invited the Encampment to a dinner at the American 
House. 

Voted, That we adjourn at one o'clock, for the purpose of 
accepting the invitation. 

Voted, That comrades desiring to smoke be allowed to 
retire. 

Voted, That the various reports of the Department officers 
be accepted, and that one thousand copies of the Proceedings be 
printed for distribution. 

A motion was made to proceed to election of officers. 

Comrade Babbitt moved the previous question. Carried. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to receive, 
assort, and count votes, on a formal ballot for Commander. 
Comrades McCormic of 57, Bailey of 11, Dyer of 7, Scammell 
of 22, and Nash of 78, appointed. 

Voted, That the alternate from Post 141 be allowed to vote 
in place of the delegate, who had retired. 

Motion to reconsider. Carried. 

Original motion renewed and lost. 

Voted, That the committee appointed to receive, assort, and 
count; votes for Commander act in that capacity for the eleotion 
of the other officers. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 101 

Voted^ That a committee of eleven be appointed to report a 
list of delegates and alternates to the National Encampment, and 
that the committee receiving ballots shall wait upon the committee 
of eleven to receive their votes for other officers. 

The first ballot for Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of vc^es u . . . . 274 

Necessary for a choice 138 

J. W. Kimball, of Post 19 12G 

Geo. S. Merrill, " "39 79 

W. H. Cundy, " " 7 44 

J. A. Cunningham, " " 15 8 

H. B. Sargent, " " 15 8 

J.H.Barnes, " " 23 ^ 4 

J. Silloway, Jr. ^^ ^^ <)4 3 

Brownell Granger, " " 2G 2 

And there was no choice. 

Comrade Merrill thanked the comrades and withdrew his 
name. Comrade Cundy's name was withdrawn by Comrade 
Dyer, of Post 7. 

Upon a second ballot Comrade Kimball received 211 of the 
261 votes cast, and upon motion of Comrade Merrill his election 
was made unanimous. 

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to present 
the Commander elect. 

Comrades Merrill of 39, Pope, Junior Vice-Commander, 
and Dyer of Post 7, appointed, and Comrade Kimball was pre- 
sented and addressed the Encampment, 

The following comrades were announced as the committee 
to bring in a list of delegates and alternates and members of 
Council of Administration: Emery of Post 26, Attwood of 
Post 113, Mallory of Post 79, Taylor of Post 13, Sherwin 
of Post 144, AVhitney of Post 43, Patch of Post 142, Meech 
of Post 10, Dalton of Post 34. 

Voted, That we proceed to ballot for Senior Vice-Com- 
mander. 

The result of the ballot was as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 220 

Necessary for a choice Ill 

C. H. Taylor of Post 139 187 

Edwin Earp " 5 30 

W. P. Drury " 35 3 

11 



162 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

And Comrade Taylor's election was made unanimous. 

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to present 
the Senior Vice-Commander elect. 

Comrades Sherman of Post 39, P^'raukle of Post 47, and 
Denny of Post 113, were appointed. Comrade Taylor was 
introduced to the Encampment and responded with a lively 
speech. 

Voted, To proceed to the election of .Junior Vice. -Commander. 

Comrades Dunn of Post 35, and Parsons of Post 45, 
appointed to fill vacancies upon committee to receive, assort, and 
count votes. 

The result of the ballot for Junior Vice-Commander was as 
follows : — 

Whole number of votes 189 

Necessary for a choice 95 

John S. Fay of Post 43 112 

W. P. Drury " 35 52 

Edwin Earp " 5 22 

C. S. Halliday " 113 3 

And Comrade Fay's election was made unanimous. 

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to present 
the Junior Vice-Commander elect. 

Comrades Goodrich of Post 19, Whitney of Post 43, and 
Patch of Post 142, were appointed. Comrade Fay was intro- 
duced and expressed his thanks. 

The following motion, introduced by Comrade Granger, of 
Post 26, was adopted : — 

That the delegates from this Department to the next Na- 
tional Convention be instructed to use their influence to cause a 
change to be made in the Rules and Regulations of the Order, as 
follows : — 

"In Section 5, of Article II., of Chapter II., Rules and 
Regulations of 1872, in the first line, after the word 'rejected,' 
to insert the words ' by the Committee of Investigation and by 
ballot.' Also, in Section 6, of the same Article, of Chapter II., 
to so amend that it shall read — ' The name of an applicant so 
rejected shall be forwarded to the Headquarters of the Grand 
Army through the proper channel.' " 

The following resolution was offered by Comrade Merrill, of 
Post 39 : — 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 163 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Encampment, in the existing 
condition of the finances of the Department, it is inexpedient to defray 
the traveling or other expenses of the delegates to the National En- 
campment. 

Carried. 

Comrade Wilbcr of Post 07 

3fovedj That upon the death of a comrade each comrade in 
the Department be assessed five cents, the amount to be for- 
warded to the family of the deceased. 

Tabled. 

Judge- Advocate Blackmar offered the following : — 

Bcsolved, That it is the sense of this Encamp uent, that as the 
provision for the payment of State aid expires, by limitation, this year, 
the time for snch payment should be extended. 

Adoj^ted. 

Voted, To proceed to the election of Medical Director. 

The result of the ballot was as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 118 

Necessary for a choice GO 

George B. Cogswell of Post 52 .... 76 
William AVoods " " 7 .... 19 
Scattering 23 

And Comrade Cogswell was declared elected. 

Voted, That Article III., of the Department By-Laws be 
amended so as to read "There shall be a meeting of the Council 
of Administration at Department Headquarters on such a day of 
each month and at such an hour as they may determine." 

The following was offered by Comrade Richardson, of 
Post 42 : — 

Eesotved, That the thanks of this Department, as represented in 
this Encampment, be and hereby are extended to the Department 
orticers for the year 1873, for the able and efRcient manner in Avhich 
they have performed their duties. 

Carried. 

A ballot for Chaplain resulted in tlie unanimous re-election 
of Comrade George S. Ball of Post 22. 
Voted, To adjourn until 2.30 p.m. 



164 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

JANUARY 22. —AFTERNOON SESSION. 
The Eocampment was called to ordei-, aud the following 
resolution, offered by Comrade G. M. Atwood, of Post 40, at 
the dinner at the American House, aud unanimously adopted at 
that time, was ratified by the P^ncampment in executive ses- 
sion : — 

Besolved, That the sincere and cordial thanks of the Department 
Encampment is due, and^ are hereby tendered, to the members of E. V. 
Sumner Post 19, Grand Army of the Republic, of Fitchburg, for the 
cordial and generous hospitality which they have extended to the mem- 
bers of the Department Encampment. Also to the citizens of Fitchburg, 
for the attention and kindness which they have manifested towards us 
during the session. 

Besolved, That the Assistant Adjutant-General be requested to 
publish these resolutions in the Fitchburg papers, and forward an 
official copy to Post H), Grand Army of the Republic, of Fitchburg. 

At this time a circular, of which the following is a copy, 
was read by the Commander : — 

Worcester, Aug. 18, 1873. 
Comrade: The project of assembling in one Grand Encampment, 
for one, two, or three days, all Massachusetts soldiers who served in 
the late War of the Rebellion, has been somewhat agitated of late, aud 
as far as known been favorably received. The State grounds at Soutli 
Framingham, and some time in the summer of 1874, have been suggested 
as the time and place for gathering. A meeting under such circum- 
stances would carry joy to many a heart. No one could fail of receiving 
pleasure from such a reunion. At a late meeting of the Thirty-fourth 
Massachusetts Infantry Regimental Association, the undersigned were 
appointed a committee, with instructions to correspond with the various 
organizations of Veterans throughout the State, with a view to secure 
the adoption of the project. 

Will you give it consideration, and communicate to the undersigned 
your views after consultation with such comrades as you can con- 
veniently meet. It is proposed, should the idea be favorably entertained, 
to call a meeting of all interested, at an early day, at some central and 
convenient place, Avith a view to adopting a plan in furtherance of the 
object. 

Please address Gen. William S. Lincoln, Worcester, Mass. 
Very respectfully yours, 

WILLIAM S. LINCOLN, 
A. D. PRATT, 
C. W. ELWELL, 
H. BACON, 
R. J. HAMILTON, 
Committee 34th Mass. Infantry Association. 



EIGHTH AKNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 1 G5 

Comrade Denny, of Post 113, offered the following reso- 
lution, which was adopted by a rising vote : — 

Sesolved, That this Encampment hereby endorses and approves 
the reconnnendations of the circuhvr issued by the Committee of the 
Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Regimental Association, favorable to a 
general Encampment of the old Massachusetts regiments, at such time 
and place as may be agreed upon ; and this Encampment advises that 
such general Encampment include the sailors and marines serving dur- 
ing the war from Massachusetts, or who may now reside in Massachu- 
setts, and that all soldiers now in Massachusetts, who served in 
regiments of other States, and all Posts of the Grand Army of the 
Republic in this Department, be included in those invited to join in such 
general Encampment. 

Comrade Emerj^, chairman of committee to report a list of 
nominations for Council of Administration and delegates and al- 
ternates to the National Encampment, submitted the following : — 

FOR COUNCIL OF ADMIN ISTllATIOX. 

J. P. Maxfield of Post 42 

H. E. Hill " " 139 

J. H. Barnes an 23 

G. H. Patch " " 142 

H. S. Briggs " " 1)8 

The following were the list of delegates and alternates to the 
National fLncampment : — 

DELEGATE-AT-LAUGK. ALTERXATE-AT-LAUGE. 

A. B. Underwood, Post G2 F. J. Daniels, Post 144 

DELEGATES. ALTERNATES. 

Geo. S. Merrill, Post 39 Brownell Granger, Post 26 

C. F. Luther, " 79 H. C. Lee, " 113 

W. S. Greenough, " 12 M. J. Ferren, " 75 

C. E. Sperry, " 5.") J. G. B. Adams, " 5 

J. Pickett, " 10 E. B. Macy, " 19 

E. B. Blasland, " 125 AV. F. Draper, " 22 

C. A. Campbell, " 35 J. F. Searles, " 24 

P:. p. Morton, " Gl C. B. Fox, " 68 

J. W. Bigelow, " 37 G. H. Hoyt, " 123 

G. H. Pi-ior, " 5G D. G. Macnamara, " 15 

G.R.Kelso, " 11 C.H. Parsons, " 45 

Voted, To accept the report, and that the Assistant Adjutant- 
General be instructed to cast one ballot upon which the names 
reported should be entered, as the vote of the Encampment, and 
they were unanimously elected. 



166 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The following resolution was offered by Comrade Emery, of 
Post 26 : — 

Besolved, That the delegates from this Department to the National 
Encampment Ije instructed to use their best endeavors to ol^tain the fol- 
lowing changes in the Rules and Regulations : — 

" Chapter IV., Article IV., Section 6, after the words ' If a comrade 
shall be one year in arrears,' to add ' his name shall be presented to the 
Post of which he is a member, and unless in the judgment of the Post 
there is some reasonable excuse for his delin<iuency.' Also, after the 
words, ' at a regular meeting upon payment of dues to the time of his 
being dropped,' to add, ' provided, however, that the dues may be re- 
mitted, if, in the opinion of the Post, the interests of the Order will be 
promoted by so doing.'" 

Voted ,1 To instruct the delegates to urge, and obtain if possi- 
ble, a reduction of dues to National Headquarters. 

Yoted^ That the place of holding the next Encampment be 
left witli the Council of Administration. 

The following resolution, offered by the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, was adopted unanimously : — 

Besolved, That the thanks of this Encampment be and are hereby 
tendered to the ()fficer-of-the-I)ay, Comrade C. II. Wyman, to the Ofllcer- 
of-the-Guard, Comrade Edward I^radbury, and to the four Sentinels of 
this Encampment, for the able, efficient, and courteous manner in which 
they have performed their duties. 

A resolution of thanks to the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg, 
and to the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad Companies for 
their kindness in furnishing free return tickets to the delegates 
was adopted unanimously, and the Assistant Adjutant-General 
instructed to forward the same. 

Comrade Macy, of Post 19, announced that the Masonic 
Hall would be open for the remainder of the day for the inspec- 
tion of visiting comrades. 

The closing business of the day consisted of the installation 
of the Department officers elect by Commander Underwood, with 
the exception of Medical Director and Comrade Briggs, of the 
Council, who were absent. 

Commander Kimball and Comrade Underwood each addressed 

the Encampment briefly, after which three cheers for each, and 

three for Post 19, were given. 

Voted., To adjourn. 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



EKillTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. \('>'. 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1873. 



IlEADQUAinKRS DePT. OF Mass., G.A.R., 

3Gt» Washington Stheet, Room 4. 
Generat- Orders t Boston, Jan. 16, LS73. 

No. 1. ( 

I. Having been elected by the Comrades of this Department, in 
Convention assembled, as Commander for the enduing year, and having 
been duly installed, I hereby announce that I now enter upon the duties 
of the office. 

II. Comrade Henry B. Peirce is hereby appointed Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, and will bo obeyed and respected accordingly. Appoint- 
ments of other officers of the Statf will be announced in future orders. 

III. The office hours of the Assistant Adjutant-General will con- 
tinue to be as heretofore, from 10 to 12 and from 2 to 4, except Saturday 
afternoons, when the office will be closed. 

********* 

Official: A. B. UNDERWOOD, 

Henry B. Peirce, Commanilcr. 

Assistant Atljutant-Gencral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., ^ 

A.SSISTANT An.IUTANT-GEXERAU's OFFRE, J- 

3(i0 Washington Street, Room <H,J 
General Orders "I Boston, Feb. 19, 1873. 

No. 2. / 

I. The following Comrades, are announced npon the Stafl" of the 
Commander, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly: — 

W. S. Greenough of Post 12, Wakefield, Assistant Quartermaster- 
General. 

E. B. Blasland of Post 12.5, South Boston, Inspector. 
W. W. Bhickmar of Post 113, Boston, Judge Advocate. 
Thomas Sherwin of Post 144, Dedham, Aide-de-Camp. 
Horace N. Fisher of Post 143, Brookline, " 
Frank H. Graves of Post (52, Newton, " 

Geo. F. Thompson of Post 10, Worcester, " 

Oilman A. Andrews of Post 34, Salem, " 

Sam'l F. Seabury of Post 15, Boston, " 

F. Edward Gray of Post 16. Springrteld, 

Geo. T. Childs of Post 11, Charlestown, Chief Mustering Officer. 
********* 

V. Posts that have not received the new countersign can do so 
by applying at these Head(|uarters, through some comrade authorized by 
them to receive it, and provided with Avritten authority, signed by the 
Post Commander and Adjutant. 



168 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



VI. The Commander desires a complete Surgeon's report from 
each Post in the Department, at the close of the present year, and for 
that purpose directs the several Post Commanders to secure the neces- 
sary statistics meantime. 

********* 

By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"| 
Assistant Ad.iutant-General's Office, >■ 
3CG Washington Street, Room 8, J 
General Orders \ Boston, April 10, 1873. 

No. 3. / 

I. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors for the Districts named, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

District No. 1 : Brownell Granger, Boston Highlands. Posts 7, 
15, 23, 113, 125, 134. 

District No. 2 : James M. Johnston, South Boston. Posts 26, 30, 
32, 68, 138, 143. 

District No. 3: Samuel M. Weale, East Boston. Posts 4, 11, 35, 
94, 144, 149. 

District No. 4: T. J. Buftum, Somerville. Posts 56, 57, 66, 119, 
139, 148. 

District No. 5: Thomas Swazey, Jr., Marblehead. Posts 34, 82, 
89, 90, 118, 132. 

District No. 6 : C. B. Baldwin, Melrose. Posts 5, 12, 33, 75, 95. 

District No. 7: W. B. C. Emerson, Newton. Posts 6, 14, 22, 29, 
81, 142. 

District No. 8 : Jeremiah Looby, East Abington. Posts 8, 13, 73, 
74, 76, 78, 124. 

District No. 9 : P. N. Sprague, Hinghar^i. Posts 40, 58, 87, 88, 1 12. 

District No. 10: J. Silloway, Jr., Canton. Posts 52, 72, 91, 110, 
121, 145, 147. 

District No. 11: Franklin Jacobs, West Scituate. Posts 83, 104, 
111, 127. 

District No. 12: A.M. Tilton, Haverhill. Posts 49, 101, 108,114, 122. 

District No. 13 : John A. G. Richardson, Lowell. Posts 39, 42, 45, 
47, 67, 102, 106. 

District No. 14 : Fred S. Gifford, New Bedford. Posts 1, 2, 3, 46, 
55, 129, 133, 141, 146. 

District No. 15 : Geo. II. Patch, South Framingham. Posts 18, 21, 
43, 62, 63. 

District No. 16: Henry Parsons, Marlboro. Posts 9, 48, 54, 59, 
64, 86, 96, 135. 

District No. 17: A. M. Parker and Jas. F. Meech, Worcester. 
Posts 10, 24, 27, 28, 60, 61, 77, 99, 107, 131, 136. 

District No. 18 : Will. H. Scammell, Milford. Posts 20, 25, 70, 
105, 117. 

District No. 19: Edw. B. Macy, Fitchburg. Posts 19, 31, 50, 53, 
69, 109, 116, 123. 

District No. 20: J. W. Bigelow, Spencer. Posts 37, 38, 51, 65, 
85, 100, 140. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 169 



District No. 21 : A. O. Kinney, Chicopee. I'osts 10, 41, 71, 80, 103. 

District No. 22: G. C. Clapp, Northampton. Posts 17, 36, 44, 84, 
93, 97, 120. 

District No. 23 : Ilerljcrt C. .Tovner, Gt. Barrington. Posts 79, 
98, 115, 126, 130, 137. 

********* 

III. The Commander desires to know the amount of money re- 
ceived by each Post in the Department, as an appropriation by the 
several cities and towns wherein they are located, to defray the expenses 
of the coming Memorial Day. 

By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
IIknry B. Pkirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adj^itant-General. 



KICK, j- 
lOM 10, J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Aimutant-Genekal's Oefi 
Mehciiants Exchange, State Strkkt, liooM 
Gknerae Orders "I Boston, June 2, 1873. 

No. 5. / 

I. Until further orders, the Headquarters of this Department will 
be as above. 

II. The great fire wliich occurred in this city on Memorial Day 
destroyed all of the books and papers pertaining to the Assistant 
Adjutant-General's Department; and Post Commanders are requested to 
ascertain at once tlieir indebtedness for books, blanks and badges, and 
to promptly remit the amount; also to notify express companies hold- 
ing C.O.D. bills of the above change in location. 

III. The books and blanks necessary for use of Posts will be 
replaced at the earliest possible moment, and Post Commanders will 
duplicate all communications and re(iuisitions remaining unanswered. 

IV. Post Commanders are reminded of the necessity of prompt 
action on their ])art, in tiie matter of adjutant's and quartermaster's 
reports, Avhich will lie due July 1st; and the Commander trusts that they 
will examine the same with more than usual care, to see that they are 
correct. It will also l)e necessary for Post Commanders at the same 
time to forward duplicate copies of the Adjutant's report for first 
quarter, 1873, to replace those destroyed by the fire. 

By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
HioNRY B. Peirck, Commander. 

Assistant .[dintant-General. 



ITeadcjuarters Dr.rT. of Mass., G..\.R., 
.Assistant AD.iiTANr-CiKNKRAL's Office, 
Mkrciiants Exchange, Statk Strkft, Koo.m 10, 
General Orders \ 15oston, June 18, 1873. 

No. 6. < 

I. It should be understood that all orders of previous Com 
manders remain in force until superseded by contrary orders. 



170 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Particular attention is called to a portion of Paragraph III., G.O. 
No. 2, series of 1868, repeated in Paragraph 2, G.O. No. 2, series of 
1869, as follows : — 

" All communications from the several Posts to Department Head- 
quarters should be written upon paper of the ordinary letter size, 
addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General, and signed by the Post 
Commander or senior officer present." 

Also part of Paragraph 2, GO. No. 4, series of 1872 : — 

" Communications from Posts to Department Headquarters should 
always be signed by Post Commanders." 

♦ *****♦** 

III. An electroplate of the cut which appears in this order, with 
mortise for No. of Post (in place of " Dept. of Mass."), will be furnished 
Posts at fl.75 each. 

By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
Henry B. Peikce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutant-Generat/s Office, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Room 10, 
Boston, Oct. 20, 1873. 
General Orders \ 
No. 8. j 

I. Comrade J. W. Hastings of Post 65 has been appointed Aide-de- 
Carap upon the Stall" of the Commander. He will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

II. Comrade John A. Mackie of Post 125 is hereby announced as 
Assistant Inspector of District No. 2, vice Johnson, resigned. He will 
be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

********* 

IV. Particular attention is called to Paragraph 4, G.O No. 7, C. S., 
National Headquarters, which accompanies this order. Posts will be 
required to forward with their yVdjutant's and Quartermaster's reports for 
the fourth quarter a Surgeon's report, giving number of wounded mem- 
bers, nature of wounds, etc. ; failing to do this, they will be considered 
as in arrears for reports and not entitled to representation in the De- 
partment Encampment. Realizing that the larger Posts cannot comply 
with the above at short notice, the Commander suggests that steps be 
taken at once for the collection of the necessary information, and that 
notice be sent to each member, asking an immediate answer, stating, if 
wounded, nature of wound. 

V. The Commander desires that all applications for aid hereafter 
received by Posts, from traveling soldiers, l)e reported at once to these 
Headquarters, giving a brief history of the case. By this course the 
Posts may be saved from much of the imposition which has heretofore 
been practiced upon them. 

By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



171 



IlEADQlTARTKRS DePT. OF MaSS., G.A.ll., 

Assistant Ad.uitant-Gknkkal's Okkice, 
Meuciiaxts Exchange, State Stheet, Room 10, 
General Orders \ ■ Boston, Dec. 8, 1873. 

No. 9. i 

I. Comrade J. G. B. Adams, of Tost 5, is hereby announced as 
Chief Musterinii Officer of this Department, vice Comrade Childs, whose 
resiirnation, because of his removal from the State, is reluctantly 
accepted. The Commander feels that no words of his can add to the 
hiilh resrard and esteem in which Comrade Cliilds is held by the comrades 
of this Department. To ability and fidelity he has added zeal and earnest- 
ness, always active and ever working for the highest interests of our 
Order. 

II. Another year is drawing toward its close and the Commander 
is anxious to make'a good report'of the condition and prospects of the 
Grand Army in his Department. A few of the Posts are in arrears for 
reports and dues; but it is to be hoped that they will forward the same 
without further delay and be in good standing at the beginning of the 
new year. Tost Commanders Avill be reciuired to forward, before Jan. 
10, 1874, the Adjutant's, Quartermaster's, and Surgeon's reports, together 
Avith all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to the Department 
Encampment, who must be elected at the last stated meeting in Decem- 
ber (same time and manner as Post officers) ; and the Adjutant's report 
must give the list of Post Officers elect. 

III. The officers elected by the several Posts Avill be installed by 
the Chief Mustering Officer, or by comrades designated by him, at the 
first meeting succeeding their election. The Chief will be governed by 
the wishes of Posts in the selection of Mustering Officers, when practi- 
cable, but such requests must be made immediately; where no Comrade 
is assigned, the duty will be performed by the Senior Past Post Com- 
mander present. 

********* 

V. Commanders of Posts that have not been visited by an Assis- 
tant Inspector during the present (|uarter, or have not received notice 
of such intended visit, will notify this ofllce at once. 

********* 

liy order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
IIenuy B. Peikce, Cvmmander. 

AssistcuU AdjiituHl-d'eneral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G A.R. , 
Assistant Adjutant-General's ( )ffice, 
Merchants Exchange, State Strket, ItooM 10, 
General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 2',), 1873. 

No'. 10. i 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department will be held in the 
hall of E. V. Sumner Post !'.>, Fitchburg, on Wednesday, Jan. L'l, 1S74, 
for the election of Department officers and such other business as may 
come before it. In accordance with suggestions made at tlie last En- 
campment, the meeting Avill he called to order at 7 o'clock p.m., to 
enable the Encampment to organize and, if it so decides, to transact its 
routine business, leaving the election and installation of officers and 



172 EARLY HISTORY DEPT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 



other important matters for the clay following. The Commander thinks 
that this plan will probably meet with the approval of all the delegates, 
especially as Post 19 is making arrangements to entertain the visiting 
comrades on the evening of the 21st. . 

In accordance with the Rules and Regulations, Posts will be entitled 
to representation in the ratio of one delegate for every fifty members 
reported in good standing, with one additional member for a final frac- 
tion of more than half that number- but each Post, Avhatever its 
numbers, shall be entitled to choose at least one member. Post Com- 
manders are members by virtue of their ottice. 

II. Arrangements have been made with the Boston, Clinton and 
Fitchburg, Mansfield and Framingham, New Bedford and Taunton, 
Framingham and Lowell, and Vermont and Mass. R.R. Co.'s, by Avhich 
free return tickets will be issued to the delegates upon application to 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General, in the Encampment. 

III. The Commander of Post It) will detail an Officer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard, and a sufficient number of Sentinels, for duty dur- 
ing the Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General at 6.30 p. m. on the 21st prox., for instructions. 

IV. Post Commanders are reminded that it is their duty to for- 
ward all reports (Adjutant's, Quartermaster's and Surgeon's), and that 
such reports, together with all dues, and a list of the delegates and 
alternates, must be in the hands of the Assistant Adjutant-General 
before the 10th prox., in order to secure representation in the Encamp- 
ment. 

V. The following-named comrades are designated as Mustering 
Officers and will install the officers of the Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names : — 

Fred S. Gifford, 1, UG ; G. H. Babbitt, Jr., 3, 55; C. B. Baldwin, 4, 
12, 40; W. W. Robinson, 5; Geo. S. Ball, G, 14, 22; J. H. Barnes, 7, 11 ; 
A. S. Trowbridge, 9 ; A. M. Parker, 10, 131 ; C. D. Nash, 13, 124 ; Brownell 
Granger, 15, 23; F. Edward Gray, IG, 103; G. H. Hoyt, 17, 123; G. H. 
Patch, 18, 43, G2, G3, 142; J. W. Kimball, 19, 53, G9 ; J. E. Fiske, 21; 
Chas. B. Fox, 2G, G8 ; E. W. Toombs, 28, 59; G. H. Prior, 29, 5G, 92; 
C. O. Welch, 30, 81, 139; E. B. Blasland, 32, 125; L. W. Osgood, 33, 75, 
148; Wm. Spalding, 35, 149; G. M. Abbey, 36, 97; J. W. IMgelow, 37, 
51; A. D. Ward, 38; Geo. S. Merrill, 39, 47; J. P. Maxfield, 42, 102; 
Geo. C. Clapp, 44, 150; B. F. Cook, 45, 67; E. P. Bowen, 46, 129, 141; 
S. J. Spaulding, 49, 122; J. Silloway, Jr., 52, 91, 94; H. E. Hill, 57; G. 
R. Kelso, 66, 143; A. St. John Chambre, 70, 72; A. O. Kinney, 41, 71, 80; 
Jere. Looby, 73, 74, 78; W. McKay, 79, 126, 130; G. A. Andrews, 82, 89, 
132; Geo. B.Oldham, 83, 111, 112, 127; Anson Withey, 84, 93, 120; J. T. 
Stevens, 87, 88 ; A. A. Carlton, 95, 118 ; H. S. Briggs, 98 ; F. H. Moore, 
65, 100; D. J. Preston, 90; A. M. Tilton, 101, 108; P. N. Sprague, Jr., 
104; P. C. Grover, 105, 117; H. C. Alden, 106, 110; W. W. Blackmar, 
113; A. Smart, 114; Geo. H. Cutter, 119; Thos. Sherwin, 121, 144, 147; 
E. S. Horton, 133, 145 : J. A. Mackie, 134, 138. The officers of Posts 34 
and 58 will be installed by Chief Mustering Officer J. G. B. Adams. 

VI. The foregoing arrangement has been made in order that the 
service may be rendered without expense to the Department. In case of 
the absence of the comrade designated above for any Post, and where no 
comrade has been assigned, the Senior Past Post Commander present 
will act. 



By order of 

A. B. UNDERWOOD, 
Henry B. Peirck, Commander. 

Assist a7U Adjntan t- Gen eral. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



173 



ROSTER, DKl'AUTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS G.A.R., 1873. 



ELECTED. 



A. B. Underwood, 
J. W. Kiniball, 
Lemuel Pope, 
1). I). Gilbert, 
Geo. S. Ball, 
William AVoods, 
J. r. Maxrield, 
H. E. Hill, 
Henry Wilson, Jr., 
Geo. H. Hoyt, 



Newton, 

Fitchburg, 

Wilmington, 

Dorchester, 

Upton, 

Boston, 

Lowell, 

Soraerville, 

Chelsea, 

Athol, 



Commander. 

Senior Vice-Commander. 

Junior " " 

Medical Director. 

Chaplain. 

Council of Administration. 



DELEGATES AND ALTEHNATES TO THE NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. 

Dth'fjatcs. 



Henry R. Sibley (at large) 
Charles O. Welch, Cambridge 

Geo. S. Merrill, 



A. M.Tilton, 
Henry B. Peirce, 
Luke Lyman, 
G. H. Babbit, 



Lawrence 

Haverhill 

Abington 

Northampton 

Taunton 



Charlestown. 
Charles H. Chase, Salem 

G A. Churchill, Dorchester 

W. H. Carney, New Bedford 

Geo. T. Childs, Charlestown 

W. H. Cuudy, Boston 



Alternates. 



Wra. Cogswell (at large) .... 

J. Silloway, Jr., Canton C. C. Emery, 

S. J. Spaulding, Newburyport 

T. C. Webber,^ Lowell 

A. O. Kinney, Chicopee 

W. S. B. Hopkins Greenfield 

D. H. Smith, Attleboro 



Thomas Sherwin, 
.J. D. Cogswell, 
E. B. Blasland, 
Wm. Spalding, 



Salem. 
Boston Highland? 



Dedham 

Leicester 

South Boston 

Charlestown 



APrOlNTK.D. 



Henry B. Peirce, 
W. S. Greenoiigh, 

E. B. Blasland, 
W. W. Blackmar, 
Thomas Sherwin, 
Horace N. Fisher, 
Frank H. Graves, 
Geo. F. Thompson, 
Oilman A. Andrews, 
Samuel F. Seabury, 

F. Edw. Gray, 
Geo. T. Childs, 



Abington, 

Wakefield, 

South Boston, 

Boston, 

Dedham, 

Brookline, 

Newton, 

Worcester, 

Salem, 

Boston, 

Springfield, 

Charlestown, 



Assistant Adjutant-General. 

" Quartermaster-Gen. 

Inspector. 
Judge Advocate. 
Aide-de-Camp. 



Chief Mustering Ofiicer. 



POSTS. 



\'o. 


Xame qf Post. 


Commander. 


Town. 


Night of Mcctiufj. 


1 


Wm. Logan Rodman, 


Samuel C. Hart, 


New Bedford, 


Wednesday. 


2 


O. W. Pi'abody, 


(i. H. Sylvester, 


Nantucket, 


1st and 3d Sat. 


3 


W. H. Banlett, 


Clias. H. Orchard, 


Taunton, 


Tuesday. 


4 


U. S. Grant, 


Allied Hocking 

H'.O., 05, VVashins^ton 
St., Boston) 


3Ielrose, 


Alt. Tuesdays. 


5 


Gen. Lander, 


Edwin A. Earp, 


Lynn, 


Thursday. 


6 


I'owell T. Wyman, 


A. E. Cliamberlain, 


Holliston, 


Tuesday. 


7 


Chas. Russell Lowell, 


W. H. Cundy 
(P.O., '>;• Old Slate 
House, Boston) 


Boston, 


Friday. 



174 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



No. Name of Post. 

8 E. W. Pierce, 

9 Reno, 

10 Geo. ri. Wanl, 

11 Abrahiim Lincoln, 

12 Wancn, 

13 Fletcher Webster, 
It Lieut. C. C. I'liillips, 
15 J. A. Andrew, 



Ifi E. K. Wilcox, 

17 Gen. Sedgwick, 

18 Col. Prescott, 

19 E. V. Sumner, 

20 Getchell, 

21 Abbott, 



Maj. E. F. Fletcher, 

Jos. Hooker, 

A. B. R. Sprague, 



v6 Thos. G. Stevenson, 



Chas. Devens, Jr., 
(ieo. D. Wells, 
F. P. H. Rogers, 
Win. H. Smart, 



31 S. A. Taylor, 

32 Washington, 

33 Burbank, 



34 Phil. ir. Sheridan, 

35 Theo. Winthrop, 



E. M. Stanton, 

F. A. Stearns, 
Dexter, 
Needham, 
Lincoln, 
Lyon, 

4-2 Benj. F. Butler, 
4.3 .1. A. Riiwlins, 
Wm. L. Baker, 
Col. Allen, 
Richard Borden, 
Jlajor Howe, 
Geo. S. Boutwell, 
A. W. Bartlett, 



50 Denuison S. Kimball, 



Ezra Batcheller, 
A. B. Randall, 
C. H. Stevens, 
John B. (iough, 
Isaac Dean Paull, 



56 Chas. Beck, 

57 P. Stearns Davis, 

58 Reynolds, 



Maj. J. A. Pratt, 
Jesse L. Heno, 
Kathaniel Lyon, 



Com^nander. 

J. M. Staples, 
J. F. Dolan, 
J. F. Meech, 
Wm. Spalding, 
Austin E. Perry, 
Geo. M. Skinner, 
T. N. Drawbridge, 
D. G. McNaniara 

(P.O., Custom House, 

Boston) 
Elijah A . Newell, 
H. U. Hunt, 
A. A. Coburn, 
R. O. Houghton, 
L. T. Gasiiill, 
J. E. Fiske 

(P.O., Grantville) 
P. C. H. Belcher, 
Pliillip W.GoUiff, 
James Gleason, 
A.J. Searles, 
C. C. Emery, 
W. S. Forrest, 
M. E. Walker, 
Chas. A. Hall, 
Geo. F. Johnson 

(P.O., 45 No. Russell St. 

Boston) 

Grant Learned 

(P.O., 24 Mercer St.) 
Chas. K. Conn 

(P.O., 4-2 Portland St., 

TJoston ) 
John W. Hart, 
John Perry, 



Town. 

Middleboro, 

Hudson, 

AVorcester, 

Charlestown, 

Wakelield, 

N. Bridgewater, 

Hojjkinlon, 

Boston, 



Niffht of Meeting. 

Saturday. 

Wednesday. 

Thursday. 

Tuesday. 

2d and 4th Mon. 

Wednesday. 

Monday. 

Friday. 



Springfield, 

Orange, 

Ashland, 

FItchburg, 

Blackstoiie, 

Needham, 

Milford, 

East Boston, 

Grafton, 

TJxbridge, 

Boston Highlands, 

Oxford, 

West Boylston, 

Walthani, 

Cambridgeport, 



Ashburnham. 
8o. Boston, 

Woburn, 



Salem, 
Chelsea, 



J. L. Skinner, 
John W. Bigelow, 
A. P. Goodell, 
S. C. Parsons, 
J. H. Pratt, 
P. Soloman, 
T. C. Webber, 
E. C. Whitney, 
Luke Lyman, 
Richard Eddy, 
Frank McGraw, 
J. N. Ellsworth, Jr. 
Chas. W. Hathaway, 
Phillip C. Mason 

(P.O., Amesbury) 
J. M. Campbell 

(P.O. Townsend Harbor) 
C. H. Deyo, N. Brookfield, 

Wm. Lothrop, 
Olesson Kenney, 
R. C. Sawyer, 
Lemuel C. Porter 

(P.O. Box, 492) 
Geo. H. Prior 

(P.O. 1124, Boston) 
Chas. O, Welch 

(P.O., 116 Tremont St. 

Boston) 
Jas. L. Bates 

(P.O., 3 Devonshire St., 

Boston) 
J. W. Kendall, Sterling, 

H. W. Butler, Whitinsville, 

E. P. Morton, Webster, 



Amherst, 

Spencer, 

Brookfield, 

Lawrence, 

N. AVeymouth, 

Westtield, 

Lowell, 

JNIarlboro, 

Northampton, 

Gloucester, 

Fall River, 

Haverhill, 

Ayer, 

Newburyport, 

Townsend, 



N. Easton, 
I^eominster, 
Berlin, 
Taunton, 

Cambridge, 

E. Cambridge, 

Weymouth, 



62 Chas. Ward, 

63 Gen. Wads worth, 



Hosea Hyde, 
R. T. Nash, 



Newton, 
Natick, 



Wednesday. 
Friday. 
Wednesday. 
Tuesday. 
Alt. Mondays. 
1st Saturday. 

Wednesday. 

Tuesday. 

2d and last Mon. 

1st and 3d Tuea. 

Monday. 

Tuesday. 

Alt. Mondays. 

2d and 4th Tues. 

Thursday. 



Monday. 
Thursday. 



Tuesday. 
Each Friday ex- 
cept 3d. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
1st and 3(1 Thurs. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
Wednesday. 
1st and 3d Mon. 
2d and 4th Tues. 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 
1st Friday 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 
Tuesday. 
2d and 4th Thurs. 
Friday. 

Alt. Fridays. 

2d and 4th Thurs. 
2d and last Mon. 
Last Thursday. 
Alt. Fridays. 
Monday. 

Monday. 

Wednesday. 



Alt. Tuesdays. 



I8tand3d Thurs. 
4th Monday. 
2d and 4th Fri. 
1st and 2d Thurs. 
October to April. 
2d Thurs., April 

to October. 
Tuesday. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



175 



Xo. ^'o '« « "/ ^ost. 



Commander. 



E. I>. Baker, 
Clara Barton, 
S. C. Lawrence, 
Allen, 



OS Benj. Stone, Jr., 



G'l Jos. E. Rice, 

70 IMiU. Kearney, 

71 Kilpatrick. 

7'2 A. St. .John Chanibre, 

73 Mcriierson, 

74 Hartsuff, 

7.5 J. P. Goukl, 

7f) (ollingwood, 

77 Theron E. Hall, 

78 Daviil A. KuFsell, 

79 (has. D. Sanford, 

80 Joseph Miller, 

81 Isaac B. Patten, 

82 John (ioodwin, Jr., 

83 Jo3. E. Wilder, 

84 Myron E. Stowell, 

85 J. W. Lawton, 
8G Henry AViUon, 

87 (ien. S. Thayer, 

88 Paul Revere, 



J H. riiipnian, 

Ward, 

E. P. Carpenter, 

Ozro Miller, 

Revere, 

E. W. Hincks, 



E. J. Griggs, 

W. W. Rockwell, 
L I). Miucb, 



100 
101 
102 
103 
104 

lO.i 

10(! 
KIT 
108 

lo:t 

110 

111 



J. Cushing Edniaiids 
(ttis Chapman, 
Edwin Humphrey, 

Wilder l)\vii.dit, 
Otis W. Wallace, 
Burnsiile. 
Everett Peabody, 
Ericsson, 
Horace Kiles, 
Jos. E. Simn.ons, 



Wm. J. Coulter, 

F. H. Moore, 
John .S. Beck, 
J. L. Eaton, 

G. A. Churchill 
(P.O., 122 Washington 
St.) 

A. B. Holden, 
L. H. Whitaker, 
A. N. Kicker, 
I>ysander Wood, 
M. X. Arnold 

(P.O. Abiiigton) 
Henry Damon, 
ftL J. Eerren, 
Chas. E. P.arnes, 
Alfred Chatlin, 
Chas. 1). Nash, 
C. K. Lullier, 

F. 1). (Jleason, 

C. T. Perkins, 

F. \. Osgood, 

M. V. Boniiey 
(P.O. West Hanover) 

Chas. Stowell, 

H. M. Coney, 

H. K. Martin, 

Abijah Allen, 

J. P. Jordan 

(P.O. Wollaston Hights) 

F. A. Wallace, 
,1. W. Barnard, 
A. W. Belcher, 

a. ]{. I'eirce, 
John Hall, 
Chas. S. Hincks 

(P.O. Saugus Centre) 
Heniy Kinney, 
Geo. M. .\bbey 

(P.O. Box 82) 
W. T. C. Colt, 



112 D. Willard Rolnnson, 

113 E. W. Kinsley, 



C. R. Mudge, 

Buford, 

1). G. Farragut, 



Toun. Nir/ht of Meeting 

Clinton 2d and 4th Wed 

^Varren! 1st Wednesday, 

Medford, 1st and 3d M on 

INlanchester, Wednesday. 

Boston (Dorchester) ,1st Friday. 



114 
115 
llfi 
117 
118 Gen. James L. Bates, 

11!) 
120 

121 
122 
123 
124 
12.") 



Edwin E. Day, 

H. A. Darling, 

E. I". Wallace, 

Parker. 

J. Dimick, 

N. B. Shurtleff , Jr.. 



Westminster, 

Franklin, 

HolyoUe, 

Stoiighton, 

Abington, 

East .Abington, 

Stoneham, 

Plymouth, 

Holden, 

So. .Abington, 

No. Adams, 

So. Hadley, 

Watertown, 

Alarblehead, 

Hanover, 

So. Deerfield, 

Ware, 

INIaynard, 

Braintree, 

Quincy, 

Beverly, 
Dauvers, 
Foxboro, 

Shelbourne Falls, 

Canton, 

Saugus, 

Northboro, 
Belchertown, 



126 Geo. E. Sayles, 



N. E. Ladd, 
K. .Ia(|Uith, Jr., 
A. O. Kinney, 
1'. N. Spraiiue 

(I'.o. Hingham Centre) 
(;. K. Drake, 
Wni. Wingwooil, Jr., 
E. Woodward, 
,L G. Scates, 
M. V. B. Grimes, 
R. W. Thayer, 
H. C. Sampson 

(!'.( ). Pembroke) 
Fianklin Jacobs 

(P.O., Weet Scituate) 
A. N. Sampson 
(3110 Washington St., 
Room 8) 
Ezra Hale, 

E. J. Gushing, 
P. C. Grover. 
Geo. H. Hobby, 

E. A. Hall, 
Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., 
D'udU'v v.. (;ale, 
Geo. H. Hoyt, 

F. M. Kingman, 
E. B. Blasland 

(P.O., 377 Fourth St.) 
Henry Sheldon, 



Pittsfleld, 
Princeton. 

Groveland, 
P>illerica, 
Chicopee, 
Hingham, 

AVest IMedway, 

Rockiiort, 
Hubbard ston, 
(ieorgetown. 
East Templeton, 
Randolph, 
Duxbury, 

So. Scituate, 

Boston, 



AVest Amesbury, 

Lee. 

So. Gardner, 

Medtield, 

Swampscott, 

Greenfield, 

Hyde Park, 

.Amesbury, 

Athol, 

East Bridgewater, 

So. Boston, 

Adams, 



Alternate Sat. 

1st and 3d Tues 

Tuesday. 

1st and 3d Tues, 

AVednesday. 

2d and 4th Mon 

Tuesdav. 

1st and 3d Wed. 

1st Saturday. 

Tue-day. 

Friday. 

Alternate Sat. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

Thursday. 

Last Tuesday. 

Alternate Sat. 
2d and 4th Wed 
Alternate Wed. 
1st Friday. 
l9t and 3d Tues. 

Thursday. 

Mondav. 

2d and 4th Thura 

1st Tuesday. 
Last Thursday. 
Monday. 

1st Monday. 
INIonday neare:4 

full moon. 
1st and 3d Mon. 



Thursday. 
Last Saturdy. 
Thursday. 
lstand3dThur8 

1st and M Thurs 
Isl and 3d Sat. 
Alternate Tues. 
2d and last Tuea 
T-ast Fridav. 
1st ami 3d Fri. 
1st and 3d Sat. 

Last Monday. 

2d Wednesday. 

1st and 2d Wed. 

Weilnesday. 
2d and last Sat. 
Monday. 



1st and 3d Fri. 
1st Friday. 
Wednesday. 
Thursday. 
1st Thursday. 
Wednesday. 

Saturday. 



176 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



JVo. Name of Post. 

127 Theo. L. Bonney, 

128 Ryder, 

129 Swift, 
E. P. Hopkins, 
Geo. H. Thomas, 



130 
i:n 
],32 
133 
134 



Prentiss M. "Whiting, 
Roben A. Bell, 



135 Capt. Isaac Davis, 



130 Maj. G. C. Marshall, 

137 

138 



139 Willard C. Kinsley, 



140 
141 
142 
143 
144 
145 
14G 
147 
148 
149 



J. Arthur Johnson, 
.Tesse A. Gove, 
D. B. Eames, 
Chas. L. Chandler, 
Chas. W. Carroll, 
Win. A. Stieeter, 
Rol>ert G. Shaw, 
Edward Everett, 
A. I). Weld, 
Maj. Geo. L. Stearns, 



Coni)naniler. 

Thomas Drew, 
James A. Small, 
L. B. Hodges, 
F. N. Foote, 
George Mann, 
P. L. Winchester, Jr., 
Barnev Laughlin, 
J. H. Mandluff 

(P.O., 78 I'hilliiisSt.,) 
Lemuel Pope 

(P.O., 7 Doane St., 

Room 0) 
S. D. Taylor, 

Wm. Washburn, Jr. 

(P.O., 17 West Newton 

St.) 
J. H. Dusseault 

(P.O., Winter Hill) 
Lyman E. Weeks, 
F. C. Negus, 
A. M. Eames, 
H. N. Fisher, 
H. C. Bonney, 
E. S. Horton, 
R. W. Oliver, 
Chas. B. Dexter, 
J. T. Wilson, 
J. F. Finley, 



To^tyn. 

Hanson, 

Provincetown. 

Somerset, 

Williamstown, 

Leicester, 

Peat)ody, 

N. Attleboro, 

Boston, 

Acton, 



Rutland, 

Great Barrington. 

Boston, 



Somerville, 

Stui'bridge, 

Full River, 

S. Framingham, 

Brookline, 

Dedham, 

Attleboro, 

New Bedford, 

Norwood, 

Winchester, 

Charleslown, 



Night of Meethuj. 
1st Monday. 

1st Wednesday. 
1st Saturday. 
2d and 4th Tues. 
Monday. 
1st Friday. 
Tlmrsday. 

Alt. Saturdays. 

Last Saturday. 
Thursday. 



1st, 2d and 3d 
Wednesday. 
Alt. Mondays. 
Friday. 
Saturday. 
Alt. Fridays. 
2d and 4th Fri. 
2d and 4tli Mou. 
3d Thur-day, 
lstanil3dThurs. 
Wednesday. 
Friday. 




JOHN W. KIMBALL, 

DE.F>ARTIVIENT COMIVIANDER, 

1874. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF TllK 

ENCAMPMENT AT SALEM 
187^. 



JANUARY 20. —EVENING SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 7 o'clock, by Com- 
mander Kimball, all of the Department officers being present 
except the Medical Director, Comrade Geo. B. Cogswell, and 
Comrades Patch and I>riggs, of the Council of Administration. 

The roll was called, and 221 comrades, representing 88 
Posts, answered to their names. 

Prayer was ottered by the Chaplain, Comrade Geo. S. 
Ball. 

Voted, To admit comrades not members of the Encampment 
to seats in rear of the hall, without power to act. 

The Commander informed the Encampment that in response 
to an invitation, the Counnander-in-Chief, with several members 
of his Staff, was in the city"" for the purpose of attending this 
meeting; and on motion of Comrade II. Wilson, eir., of Post 00, 
it was 

Voted, That a committee of five comrades be appointed to 
wait upon the Commander-in-Chief and request his presence. 

The Commander appointed Conn-ade Wilson, Commander 
Dalton, of Post .')!, Past Department Commanders Cogswell and 
Underwood, and Comrade Geo. S. Merrill, of Post 3'.). That 
committee attended to their duty, and the Commander-in-Chief, 
accompanied by Adjutant-General Sibley and Aides-de-Camp 
Geo. T. Childs, Josiah Pickett, and P. F. Murray, entered the 
hall, were duly presented, and escorted to the platform. Com- 
rade Devens addressed the Encampment at some length, his 
eloquent remarks being received with great favor and applause. 

177 

12 ■ 



178 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

He congratulated the Department upon its flourishing condition, 
and spoke flatteringly of the future prospects of the Order in 
other Departments. 

After which followed the address of the Commander and 
reports of Department officers, in regular order. 



ADDRESS OF COMMANDER KIMBALL. 

Comrades : 

The rapidly-moving wheels of time have again completed 
their circuit, and we are assembled in Annual Convention, to re- 
view the past, deliberate for the good of our noble Order, and to 
plan and arrange for the future. 

I congratulate you upon the large attendance here, which 
evinces a deep and earnest interest in and continued desire to 
further promote the welfare and prosperity of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. Guided by the experience of the past, let U8 
strive to avoid the errors and mistakes which may have been 
committed, and labor for the best good of all. Let us, in all our 
acts, preserve toward each other that fraternity of feeling which 
binds us together as comrades. May harmony prevail, so that, 
whatever may be the result of our deliberations today, we will, 
at its close, stand as one man, determined to do all in our power 
to perpetuate and carry out more fully than (ever before the great 
and grand principles of our association. 

Let us, if it need be, re-affirm our loyalty to the country and 
flag which we, through dangers, sufferings, and great sacrifices, 
helped to preserve lu the past and have sworn to defend in the 
future. 

The j'ear just closed has been one of prosperity and hope to 
this Department. Nothing has occurred to create an unusual ex- 
penditure of funds for the relief of the needy and destitute. 
The demands for assistance have not materially increased, 
although the depressed condition of the business of the country 
led us to anticipate a very largely increased demand for charity. 
This is a pleasing fact, for it indicates a determination among 
the soldiers and their dependents to support themselves so far as 
they can by their own exertions. 

It gives me pleasure to say, that, by reports from different 
Posts, I believe the liberal hand has been outstretched to all the 
needy and destitute of our Grand Army. The widows and or- 
phans of our comrades, mustered out, have been kindly cared 
for, and their wants supplied. The sick and disabled soldier, 
whether of our Order or not, if worthy, has not been passed by, 
but has received all the assistance in our power to bestow. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENOAMl'MENT. 179 

Receiving this Department in splendid condition from the 
worthy and scarred comrade who preceded me, it has been my 
aim and pride to maintain its standing and efficiency, and to 
transmit it to my successor in as equally flourishing a condition if 
possible. 

The membership is not materially changed from last year, 
being decreased by loss of five hundred and seventy-four members 
(one hundred and eight of these by death), from all causes. This 
decrease is principally, and I believe almost entirely attributable 
to the fact that Posts have lived up to and more strictly enforced 
the rule relative to the suspension and dropping of members for 
the non-payment of dues ; this is right, and I commend the Posts 
for so doing, as it places us in a more healthy and reliable con- 
dition for the future. 

Our Commander, one year ago, said, "We cannot expect our 
numbers to be largel}^ augmented for the future," or, in other 
words, that this Department had reached its maximum number, 
" and we could only hold our oavu as. long as natural causes would 
permit." I did not think it true then ; I am unwilling to believe 
ifc true now, and yet it is undoubtedly true, unless we renew our 
exertions and use all our influence to increase our membership. 
Comrades, let us not be content with what we have done, and are 
now doing ; with probably not less than thirty thousand veterans, 
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors, in this Depaitment, we 
should not be satisfied with a membership in the Grand Army of 
only one-third that number. No, let us plant our standard at 
high-water mark, and not rest in our endeavors, while an honor- 
able and worthy veteran, be he sailor or soldier, remains outside 
our lines. 

It is for our interest to do so in every point of view. It will 
lessen our burdens, it will increase our capacity for doing good, 
it will bring within our reach and care thousands who need our 
assistance, wliom we know nothing of today ; it will encourage 
the couu-ades of other Departments to redouble their efforts ; and 
last, but not least, it will tend to keep alive and to strengthen 
that loyalty to country which binds us together now and which 
carried us all into the service to save her from destruction and 
the dear old flag from dishonor. 

Now is the time for action, today let us begin the work : we 
have no time to lose, for the ranks of the soldiers from whence 
come our recruits are diminishing in numbers by death as rapidly 
as our own. 

In a very few years the Grand Army of the Republic, from 
natural causes alone, nuist necessarily become less, and continue 
to decrease until all shall have passed away ; and when that time 
comes, when the last Post is disbanded and its sentinel withdrawn 
to join his comrades on the other side, then, and not till then, 
will the great work of the Grand Army be accomplished. 



180 EARLY HISTORY KEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The veterans of the late wa.r are being rapidly mustered out. 
In a few short years, there will be but here and there one left 
standing alone, like sentinels upon the outposts, guarding sacredly 
the honor and the memories of their late comrades, and keeping 
green the resting places of the loyal patriots of the great rebellion. 

While the hand of the destroying angel has dealt leniently with 
us, yet he has been busy in our ranks, and comrades are falling 
day by day on every hand. I am pained to announce the death 
of Past Department Chaplain Miles Sanford, late of Post 79, of 
North Adams. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at Salem, 
N.Y., on the thirty-first day of October last. The disease from 
which he died was, no doubt, contracted in the service, where he 
was a brave, active, useful, and much-beloved comrade. His 
work here was well done, and he has goue to receive his reward. 
Peace to his ashes. 

Comrade L. A. Tifft, of my personal staff, died at Springfield, 
Mass., on the thirty-first day of August last, mourned and beloved 
by all who knew him. My personal acquaintance with him was 
short, yet of suflicient duration to develop to me the noble traits 
of his character and the purity of his daily life. I need pay no 
higher tribute to his memory tlian to say thnt he was, in every 
sense, a worthy member of the Grand Army, in which he took a 
deep and lively interest. A citizen, who stood high in the esteem 
of the people of the city in which he lived ; and those who knew 
him best, loved him most. 

It has lately come to the knowledge of the Commander that 
some Posts do not hold monthly meetings in accordance with the 
requirements of the Rules and Regulations ; I can hardly conceive 
of circumstances being such as to render this course necessary or 
advisable, and it certainly cannot be permitted without a change 
in the Rules and Regulations. I commend this matter to the con- 
sideration of the Convention, with a view to a change in the Regu- 
lations to meet such cases, if, in your judgment, you should decide 
that the good of the -Order demands it. 

I trust, in the future, as in the past, that all political matters 
will be excluded from our association, for while I hold that each 
comrade has the full and indisputable right to speak his mind, 
advocate his political principles, and vote for whomsoever he pre- 
fers unquestioned, and without prejudice to the Order, yet this 
must be done entirely upon individual responsibility, totally and 
entirely disconnected from the Grand Army. And I believe, as 
I believe the teachings of Holy Writ, that if this Order is destroyed 
before its great work is accomplished, it will be by allowing politi- 
cal matters to come amongst us, which will create dissension and 
sow the seeds of death and dissolution. Guard, then, carefully 
and surely, the outposts, and allow no dangerous political influ- 
ences to come within our lines. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMTMENT. 181 

# 

The reports for the year ending Sept. 30, 1873, show, by 
the returns made to Headquarters, an expenditure of $33,441.16 
for charity. Amount at same time held by Posts iu their Relief 
Funds, S64,474.74. 

For the year 1874, ending September 30, the returns show an 
expenditure of ^34,376.77, being an increase of $935.61 over the 
previous year. Amount at sanie time in Relief Funds, held by 
Posts, 872,601.29, being an increase of $8,126.55 over last year. 

As a proof of our fidelity to the great principle of charity, I 
have only to refer you to the report of Post 34, of Salem, which 
has, within the last quarter, expended for relief $2,036.30. This 
splendid record is a practical exemplification of the Golden Rule, 
and the earnestness and sincerity of the comrades in their support 
of the grand principles of the Order. 

The Headquarters of the Department have been continued in 
Boston, as heretofore, although at considerable inconvenience and 
expense to myself, for 1 felt that the interests of the Order would 
be better subserved there than by a removal into the country. 

I found the Headquarters established in the Merchants Ex- 
change, on State Street, a room having been taken there after 
the destruction of the old quarters, by fire, on the thirtieth of 
May, 1873. The room was small, dark, and entirely unfit for 
the purpose. (I presume this accounts somewhat for the small 
attendance at our Council meetings.) 

It was decided to put up with the inconveniences of the 
place for awhile, as it was expected that we could return in a few 
months to the old site on Washington Street, as a building was 
then in the process of erection in which good quarters could be 
procured £.t a reasonable rent. I am happy to state that on the 
first of December the Headquarters were removed to 368 Wash- 
ington Street, and located on the ver}^ spot from which we were 
driven eighteen months before by fire. 

The room now occupied (which is also occupied by Post 
113), is all that could be desired : large, convenient, well located, 
handsomely furnished, light, and very pleasant. 

I congratulate my successor upon his prospects for the 
future in that direction. P)Ut more especially do I congratulate 
the Assistant Adjutant-General upon being brought from dark- 
ness to light ; for, without a murmur, he has borne the discomforts 
of the old place, making thcU even cheerful to visiting conu-ades 
by his ever-smiling countenance and warm-hearted welcome. 

I desire to express my great obligation to all the Department 
oflScers ior the prompt and efficient manner in which their re- 
spective duties have been performed. 

The reports of the various Departments and Staff otHcers, 
which will be submitted to 3'ou in detail, will show fully and con- 
cisely the condition of the Department, the amount of labor 



182 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

performed, and the gratifying results -which have attended their 
efforts, and also how earnestly and efficiently they have applied 
themselves to the duties assigned them. 

I desire to thank those members of the Council of Adminis- 
tration who have been so constant in their attendance upon its 
meetings ; they have labored earnestly and diligently for the 
good of the Order. 

This labor has been performed by a few, as a portion of the 
Council Avere seldom present ; and I am sorry to say one member 
has not, during the year, attended a meeting, been installed into 
office, or acknowledged the courtesy of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General in notifying him of his election. 

The members of my personal staff will accept my thanks for 
the very able and courteous manner in which they have performed 
the arduous duties imposed on them. I know, comrades, you 
will not consider me invidious if I especially mention Comrade 
Blusland, Inspector of the Department. He has attended to his 
official duties most faithfully and promptly, and to my entire 
satisfaction. And, more especially, do I commend Comrade 
Peirce, the Assistant Adjutant-General. His entire time has 
been devoted to your interests. 

Situated as I was, fifty miles from Headquarters, I relied 
implicitly upon him to look after the affairs at Headquarters, in 
my absence ; and I have not for a moment found my confidence 
misplaced. I always found him at his post, his business in good 
order and perfectly understood. I have to make personal ac- 
knoAvledgments to him : and I do it here, publicly, with much 
pleasure ; for he has relieved me from an immense amount of 
labor and responsibility, which I most fully appreciate. May his 
shadow never be less and the day far distant when. this Depart- 
ment shall be deprived of the invaluable services of Comrade 
Henry B. Peirce, the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Finally, we are assembled for the purpose of selecting the 
comrades who shall administer the offices of this Department the 
coming year. In surrendering back to you the high trust you so 
generously bestowed upon me one year ago, I beg to say that I 
most deeply and sincerely appreciate the distinguished honor you 
then conferred by placing me at the head of this Department. 

No comrade recognizes moye fully than myself the grave 
defects and shortcomings of my administration, yet I trust you 
will believe me when I say that I have done the best I could, and 
have been faithful to the great trust reposed in me. 

I shall, at the close of this Convention, lay aside the respon- 
sibilities of this office with feelings of relief and pleasure, know- 
ing that you will have placed the burden upon some comrade 
more worthy and competent (though not more willing than I 
have been) to bear it, who will conduct your affairs successfully, 



KINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 183 

thereby improving and strengthening the Order tlu'oughout the 
Department. 

I shall return to the ranks Avith a keener perception of my 
duties as a comrade, and endeavor, by increased efforts, to pro- 
mote the interests of the Order, aid in the accomplishment of 
the objects for which we are banded together, and thus help to 
exemplify the great principles of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, 
the foundation stones of the Grand Army of the Republic. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, January 20, 1875. 
Commander and Comrades of the Depart ment Encampment : 

I have the honor to submit the following report for the year 
1874. 

Number of Posts, December 31, 1873 147 

Number of members, in good standing, appearing upon 

report for fourth quarter, 1873 11,088 

Number of Posts, December 31, 1874 141 

Number of members in good standing, appearing upon 

report for fourth quarter, 1874 10,541 

The foUoTying charters have been surrendered or annulled 
during the year : — 

Post 20 Blackstone. 

" 99 "Princeton. 

"138 Boston. 

"140 Sturbridge. 

"141 Fall River. 

" 147 Norwood. 

"150 Erving. 

Only one charter has been granted during the year, and that 
to Post 115, Groton. 



Number of members admitted by muster 



" " " transfer .... 159 

" " " reinstatement . . . 822 

" " lost by death 108 

" " " dishonorable discharge . 9G 

" " " transfer 197 

" " dropped from the I'olls .... 1,701 

" " honorably discharged .... 1 

" " remaining suspended .... 1,081 

Number of rejected applicants reported during the year, 21 

The amount disbursed for relief purposes during the 

year, so far as reported, was $32,779.42 



1,09G 



184 EARLY HISTORY I)EPT. OF 'MASS., G.A.R. 

Number of comrades and their families aided . . . 732 

Number of soldiers, uot members, and families of de- 
ceased soldiers, aided 1,205 

This report is for one hundred and thirty-seven Posts, the 

Post at Norwood having disbanded the last day of the year and 

forwarded their reports. 

There are five Posts in arrears for reports, viz. : — * 

Post 84, South Deerfield, for fourth quarter, 1874. 

" 119, Lexington, for fourth quarter, 1.S74. 

" 130, Williamstown, for third and fourth quarters, 1874. 

" 137, Great Barringtou, for first, second, third, and 
fourth quarters, 1874. 

" 14G, New Bedford, for second, third, and fourth quar- 
ters, 1874. 

By the foregoing statistics it would appear that the Grand 
Army in Massachusetts has lost ground, so far as numbers are 
concerned, during the past year ; this fact is due to the more 
general compliance, by many of the Posts, with that part of the 
Rules and Regulations which requires the non-paying members 
to be suspended and dropped, thus developing an element of 
strength rather than weakness, in that those who remain are 
earnest in their work and all contributing to the prosperity of 
their Posts. 

Taking the same privilege which has been accorded me in 
previous 3'ears, I have a few words to say concerning Post Com- 
manders and Adjutants, and the manner in which their work is 
performed. Our Rules require that all reports shall be forwarded 
by the Post Commander on tlie first day of each quarter ; this is 
not always convenient, and the General Order calling for reports 
for last quarter and for the list of delegates extended the time to 
the ninth of the present montli, thus giving ample time, and yet 
on that day only eighty-one of the one hundred and fort3'-one 
Posts had reported, and even then many had to be notified that 
the list of delegates was wanting, and that their reports were 
incomplete in several particulars. Post Adjutants while report- 
ing changes in the "Recapitulation" do not always account for 
them by name under the proper headings, oftentimes leaving 
everything blank except the figures, and occasionally entering 
those in such a way as to require a distorted imagination to make 
them agree. Post Commanders should forward all reports, and 
should carefully examine them and see that tliey are correct and 
complete before doing so. They should also send the name 
and description of each rejected applicant to Department Head- 
quarters immediately upon his rejection : this is not always done. 

I commend to Post Commanders aVareful study of the Rules 
and Regulations of the proceedings of Department and National 

•Post 134, rei)orted in arrears at Evening Session, rendered reports after its ad- 
journment. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT, 18,5 

Encampments, of the different blanks furnished for reports, and 
of General Orders as they are received. If these suggestions are 
acted upon there will be a marked improvement in the reports 
(luring the coming year, and the heart of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General will be made glad. 

There aie several oases in this desert of incorrect and incom- 
plete returns — I always halt and worship at their shrine: and 
let me assure those careful and pains-taking Adjutants that their 
efforts are appreciated, and are even more apparent by contrast. 
In this connection permit me to refer particularly to Comrade 
Wm. H. Wade, who has been Adjutant of Post 145, Attleboro', 
since its formation, and whose reports have always been the per- 
fection of neatness and correctness. 

The relief Avork of the Grand Army has been fully as exten- 
sive as in previous 3'ears, and aid is more judiciousl}' bestowed, 
though there are yet Posts to be found, ready to respond to erery 
call, resident or stranger: and so the voice of the traveling 
"• bummer" is still heard in the land. 

A few of the Post Commanders have made it a religious duty 
to inform Headquarters of every application received from tramps^ 
with full particulars ; in this way much of the information which 
has been published in orders, and by the press, concerning the 
unworthy, has been obtained. When Posts become fully con- 
vinced that their duty consists, solely, in looking after the needs 
of those residing in their immediate vicinity, a record of itineranfs 
will no longer be necessary; but until then let every comrade to 
whom application is made absorb what information he can from 
the applicant and forward it promptly to Headquarters, then if 
some "traveler," in his ignorance, should happen to skip a Post, 
we should have his address — could notify him — and he might 
take it in on his return trip. I have dwelt upon this outlet to 
our Relief Fund at some length in j)revious reports, with a hope 
that Posts and comrades would discontinue the practice of aiding 
"perambulating" soldiers, but their confiding natures and pro- 
verbial geni'rosity lead them to believe the story of the vent one, 
and to help him, even though the last did prove a fraud. Verily ! 
ours is a charity that " suft'ereth long and is kind." 

In submitting this, my fifth annual report, I must substan- 
tially repeat what I have said in previous j'cars concerning m}' 
relations with the officers and conn-ades : they have been pleasant 
in the extreme ; and if those who have called at Headquarters 
have departed with the same pleasurable feelings that their treat- 
ment has caused me, then they have their reward. 

Respectfully submitted in F., C, and L., 

IIENllV R. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutnut-dlcncrid. 



186 EARLY niSTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

REPORT OF ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Boston, January 20, 1875. 
Commander and Comrades of the Depaiiment Encampment : 

I have the honor to submit the following Report for the year 
1874, in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of our 
Order : — 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand at last Report $106.66 

" received for Department dues, fourth quarter, 1873 . . . 887.04 

first " 1874 . . . 879.36 
" " " second " 1874 . . . 873.60 
" third " 1874 . . . 861.60 
" " " first " 1873 (sup- 
plementary) 4.72 

" " " " " second ((uarter, 1873 (sup- 
plementary) 2.96 

" " " " " third ((uarter, 1873 (sup- 
plementary) 26.72 

" " " " " fourth ((uarter, 1873 (sup- 
plementary) 12.72 

" " " " " first ((uarter, 1874 (sup- 
plementary) 8.64 

" " " " ■" second quarter, 1874 . . . 8.80 

" Charter fee of Post No. 115 10.00 

" " from sales of Badges 876 00 

" " from sales of Books, Blanks, &c 743.93 

Total $5,302.75 

RXPENDITURKS. 

Cash expended as per vouchers $4,835.57 

" on hand, Dec. 31, 1874 4G7.18 

Total $5,302.75 



The expenditures have been for the items and in the amounts 

named below : — 

For printing Proceedings of last Department Convention . . . $179.00 

Inspection expenses 321.05 

salary of Assistant Quartermaster-General 225.00 

" " Assistant Adjutant-General 1,200.00 

Dues to National Headquarters 1,340.64 

Books, Blanks, &c. (sold to Posts) . 233.37 

Badges (sold to Posts) 825.00 

Office Furniture 54.00 

Rent and incidental expenses of Department IIead(|uar- 
ters, including printing of General Orders, Postage, 
Stationery, &c 457.51 

Total $4,835.57 



Total assets of Department, December 31, 1874: 

Amount due from Posts for Books. Blanks, &c $ 66.55 

Value of Books, Blanks, Badges, &c., on hand 295.65 

Cash on hand 467.18 

Total $829.38 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMKNT. 181 



Total known liabilities of Department, December 31, 1874 : 

Salaries. Kent, and oftice expenses f335.10 

National IleaiUpnirtcrs for Books and Hlanks 25.00 

A. Demarest, for Badges 37.50 

])nes to National Headipiarters for third ((uarter, 187+ . . . 219.32 

Inspection expenses (estimated) 275.00 

Total $891.92 

Excess of liabilities over assets $G2.54 

By these figure.s it will be observed that the Department has 
made a net gain during the year of about $200. This has been 
effected by the strictest economy. And I take pleasure in calling 
your attention to the fact that the incidental expenses of Depart- 
ment Headquarters, including rent, printing, etc., are nearly 
twenty- five per cent less than last year, and more than fifty per 
cent less than the average of the last five years. 

The last quarter's dues, under the old rate, has been paid to 
National Headquarters, and this Department will now begin to 
realize the benefits of the neduced rate of dues, which, by the 
untiring efforts of your delegates, during the past two years, has 
at last been established. And we may well congratulate ourselves 
on our future prospects ; for if the financial interests of the 
Department receive as faithful attention from the Council of 
Administration, and other officers, during the present year, as 
during the one just closed, the next report of the Quartermaster 
will, undoubtedly, show a handsome balance to the credit of the 
Department. 

Sul)mitted in F., C, and L., 

w. s. gri<:enough, 

Assistant Quartermaster- Gen eral. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Boston, January 20, 1875. 
The Council of Administration, having examined the financial 
accounts of the Assistant (Quartermaster-General of the Depart- 
ment, as required by the Rules and Regulations, find a balance on 
hand, December ?>{, 1<S74, amounting to four huntlred and sixty- 
seven dollars and eighteen cents (S-167.18), and they take great 
pleasure in commending the accuracy and admirable system dis- 
played throughout the Department accounts. 

Mr. Commander and Comrades : 

We, members of the Council of Administration, desire to 
deviate from the course usually pursued, and offer a few sug- 
gestions for the consideration of the Department Encampment : 

First. Members of the Council of 1874 have deemed it 
their duty to visit Posts, as far as possible, and become ac- 



188 EARLY HISTORY DEl'T. OF MASS., Ci.A.R. 



quainted with the condition of the Order, to rouse interest and 
enthusiasm where they seemed to ])e waning, and to bring to the 
attention of Headquarters any matter affecting tlie welfare of the 
Grand Army of tlie Republic, knowledge of which could not be 
obtained without such visits. We urge the adoption of this plan 
by our successors, believing that great benefit will result there- 
from. 

Second. We desire to call the attention of the P^ncampment 
to the subject of a Department parade during the present year. 
County parades, where they have been held, have called the at- 
tention of soldiers (not members) to the Order, a large number 
of whom have joined our ranks. We believe the same result 
would be attained, in a larger measure, if a parade of the Avhole 
Department should take place. 

Tlnrd. We urge all officers of the Department, and com- 
rades composing the Council of Administration, to attend the 
monthly meeting at Headquarters, that correct knowledge of the 
affairs of the Order in our State may be obtained by those 
having chnrge of the working interest of the Order, and the 
burdens of duty be more evenly divided. Finally, we desire to 
tender to you, Mr. Commander, and the members of your Staff', 
our grateful acknowledgments for the uniform courtesy mani- 
fested toward us during the year just closed. 

JARED P. MAXFIELD, 
HERBERT E. HILL, 
JOS. H. BARNES, 

Council of Adininistrdtion. 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department Encamj'^ment : 

Haviug been appointed Department Inspector by General 
Orders No. 2, dated March 10, 1874, I have the honor to submit 
the following report of the condition and efficiency of this De- 
partment as far as it has come under my charge. During the 
year the following comrades were appointed Assistant Inspec- 
tors : — 



William Spalding, 


Post 


11, 


Charlestown. 


John A. Mackie, 




125, 


South Boston 


Henry Wilson, Jr., 




35, 


Chelsea. 


T. J. Buffum, 




13!», 


Somerville. 


Thomas Swasey, Jr., 




82, 


Marblehead. 


William H. Hurd, 




75, 


Stonehani. 


Chas. T. Perkins, 




HI, 


Watertown. 


Jeremiah Looby, 




74, 


Rockland. 


F. H. Bicknell, 




58, 


Weymouth. 


J. Silloway, Jr., 




94, 


Canton. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 189 



W. C. LitclificUl, 


Post 


112, 


South Scituate. 


A. M. Tiltoii, 


(I 


47, 


Haverhill. 


T. C. Webber, 


a 


42, 


Lowell. 


E. S. Hortoii, 


a 


145, 


Attleboro. 


Geo. 11. Patch, 


( ( 


142, 


South Framingham. 


Geo. Kaudall, 


;i 


*.», 


Hudson. 


J. W. Pedrick, 


a 


il, 


Hudson. 


A. M. Parker, 


a 


10, 


AVorcester. 


Jas. F. Meech, 


a 


10, 


AVorcester. 


AVm. H. Scamniell, 


a 


22, 


Milford. 


F. W. Polley, 


a 


i)d, 


Leominster. 


Ethan W. Holden, 


a 


Gi), 


AVestminster. 


J. W. Bigelow, 


a 


37, 


Spencer. 


A. 0. Kinney, 


a 


103, 


Chicopee. 


Geo. C. Clapp, 


u 


44, 


Northampton. 


AV. W. Montgomery, 


i( 


71), 


North A(lams. 


C. M. Brown^ 


it, 


71), 


North Adams. 


F. P. Simonds, 


i i 


G3, 


Natick. 


The following have resig 


ned during the 


year : — 


Geo. H. Patch, 


I'ost 


142, 


South Framingham 


Geo. Randall, 


a 


9, 


Hudson. 


F. W, Polley, 


u 


53, 


Leominster. 


^y. W. Montgomery^ 


u 


71), 


North Adams. 



I was fortunate enough to secure the services of most of the 
Inspectors of last year, and was in hopes that I should be able 
to present to the Encampment, today, a report of the inspection 
of every Post in the Department. I am sorry, however, to state 
that none of the Posts in one of the Districts have been inspected, 
owing to the Assistant Inspector having had sickness in his family 
and not reporting to me in time to appoint another Assistant 
Inspector. I have, therefore, been obliged to depend on the 
reports of the Commanders of the Posts in that District for their 
status. From the reports received from the Assistant Inspectors 
I believe that the Department of IMassachusetts is as strong today 
as it was a year ago. Not perhaps in numbers — for a large 
number of comrades have been dropped for nott-payment of dues 
— but in the character of the members, and the interest they take 
in the Order. I find that many of the older members, who had 
taken the hard work upon themselves during the early days of 
our organization, and who had, when the Grand Army had at- 
tained its greatest strength, allowed other things to keep them 
away from the Post rooms, are coming back and taking hold 
again with renewed vigor and interest. This is what every com- 
rade should do. The Assistant Inspectors report, and there is 
no use denying the fact, that for the past three years many of the 
members, whose presence would have added interest to the Post 



190 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

meetings, have been irregular in attendance and left the manage- 
ment of Post affairs to fall too heavily upon a few. I know that 
most of these comrades still retain their interest in the important 
objects which hold us together, and are ready to respond with 
their means and their labor when occasion arises. But it must 
be borne in mind that united effort, the earnest participation of 
all in the deliberations and the work, can alone secure that effi- 
ciency and vigor which each Post should aim to maintain. By 
such means alone can we hope to accomplish the useful ends for 
which, as an organization, we exist. 

No doubt this lukewarmness has been caused to a great 
degree by the election of comrades to fill the various offices who 
are not capable of or who will not properly perform the duties ; 
and I would again urge upon comrades to place their best mem- 
bers in command. There never has been a time in the history of 
the Grand Army of the Republic when individual effort was so 
much needed as now. It is true that we cannot expect to gain 
many new members, but we can revive the interest in those who 
have been comrades of the Order and bring them back into the 
fold, and keep the Department of Massachusetts in the proud 
position she holds today — the largest Department in tlie United 
States. The past year has been a hard one for our membership : 
a great number of comrades have been thrown out of employ- 
ment, have been unable to pay their dues, and have therefore 
been suspended or dropped from the rolls. The majority of 
these comrades don't wish to leave the Order or have their dues 
remitted by their Posts, and would, undoubtedly, pay all their 
dues could they be carried a while longer on the rolls ; and I 
think it would be well if the Rules and Regulations could be 
amended so as to give some discretion to the Post. Only a few 
Posts are reported weak — these are in the smaller towns where 
the members are scattered through different villages. Never 
strong in numbers, they are weaker now from comrades moving 
away to find work. Still they have the necessary number of 
comrades required by the Rules and Regulations to hold their 
charters, and as they all have charity funds, they are doing all 
they can to advance the principles of our Order, even though it 
be only the " widow's mite." I have been enabled to visit more 
Posts this year than last, and am glad to report that I found all 
I visited fully alive to the interests of the Order and doing their 
work well. I found that some of them had adopted my recom- 
mendation of last year, and were in the habit, after closing in 
due form, of admitting the lady friends of the Post and having 
a social time. I wish this plan might be more generally adopted, 
as I do believe it Avould increase the interest of comrades. I 
believe it would be for the good of the Order if all the Posts 
could be visited by some Department officer during the year ; 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 191 

but, as that is probably impossible, I would recommend to the 
iucoming Department Commander that each Inspection District 
be visited either by himself or some other Department oflicer 
at least once during the year, and that all the Posts in the dis- 
trict be invited to meet him. It is reported to me that many 
officers and guards are not properly uniformed. 1 trust that it 
Avill be simply necessary for me to call the attention of Posts to 
this fact to have the fault remedied. There appears to be in 
some Posts a misunderstanding in regard to the unwritten work. 
I would therefore advise every Post Commander, who has any 
doubt, to visit Department Headquarters and see that he has it 
correctly. The fraternal feeling between Posts, I am happy to 
state, is stronger than ever, and the camp-fires and other social 
entertainments of Posts have been enjoyed by comrades of all 
neighboring" ones. The Ritual has been memorized by the 
officers of a large number of the Posts the past year: still there 
are some who have neglected to do so, and I would again urge 
all officers-elect to commit their part of the Ritual to memory. 
The expenses of my Department have been about the same as 
last year. I believe 1 have reduced them as much as they can 
be. The Relief Fund remaining in the Posts of this Department 
September 30, 1874, I find, greatly to my surprise, to be larger 
tlian last year, though there has been more expend* d for charity 
than in the year ending September 30, 1873. As times are now, 
I question whether, as a Department, we shall receive as much 
help from tlie public as formerly, and I also question whether the 
time has not come when Posts should be more cautious and 
investigate more fully the needs and worthiness of applicants 
before helping soldiers who do not think enough of our Order to 
come in with us, but who, if they are thrown out of work, or 
become sick, are the fiist ones to call on us for aid. It is a 
notorious fact that more has been spent on such men outside of 
the Order than on comrades ; and is it not time we were beginning 
to husband our resources? In throwing out this suggestion I 
know I am in opposition to the ideas of many of the prominent 
comrades of the Order ; but these demands are growing stronger 
every day (for though we have a large fund, yet it is in the hands 
of comparatively a few Posts), and it comes hard for the smaller 
Posts to answer them. I have known cases where all the Charity 
Fund had been exhausted in answer to such demands, and when 
tlie Post were called upon to bury a comrade they were obliged 
to call upon members to contribute from their own funds to pay 
the expenses. There are some Posts that do not yet keep the 
Charity Fund separate from the Post Fund. I would again urge 
upon them to establish a Charity Fund in accordance with the 
Rules and Regulations. I have the honor to present to the Con- 
vention the total amount of money expended for charity by the 



192 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Posts in the Department for the year ending September 30, 1874, 
and also the total amount remaining in the Relief Funds at that 
date. The total amount expended for charity from September 
80, 1873, to September 30, 1874, was (with eight Posts to hear 
from) $34,370.77. 

The total amount remaining in the ReHef Fund, September 
30, 1874, was $72,601.29. During the fall and winter, fairs, 
entertainments, etc., have been held, and the Relief Funds are 
probably some thousands of dollars larger than at that date. My 
Assistant Inspectors have been live men, who have performed 
their duties promptly and thoroughly, and I trust they may be 
retained in their positions another year. I know they have filled 
their positions with credit to themselves and honor to the Depart- 
ment, and I desire to thank them for the cordial support they 
have given me and for the zeal and ability they have shown in 
carrying out the orders of the Department, without which my 
labors would have been in vain. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C. and L., 

EDWAllD B. BLA8LAND, 

Departviod In&peclor. 



MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 

For the year ending December 31, 1S74. 

The Medical Director respectfully reports, that from the 
medical returns that have been transmitted to Headquarters, the 
following statistics are collected : — 

101 
46 
31 

5 
59 



Number of Posts which have reported 

Number of comrades having lost right arm in battle 
" " " " left " " 

" " " " both " " 

" " " " a leg in battle . . . 

" " " " both legs in battle 

" " " " a leg and arm in battle 

" " " been othervyise wounded 

" " " lost both eyes in battle . 

" " injured otherwise than in battle 



3 

1,321 

1 

256 



Total 1,722 

Allow me, at this, the expiration of my term of office as 
Medical Director, to say that my relations with all the Depart- 
ment officers have been most pleasant and agreeable. 1 would, 
also, heartily thank Comrade II. B. Peirce, Assistant Adjutant- 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMTMENT. 1!),'^ 



General of this Department, for liis valuable services in making 
on my returns, and would recommend to my successor that he 
should make haste to cultivate his acquaintance. 
Very respectfully', 

GEORGE B. COGSWELL, M.D., 
Medical Director , Department of Mass., (r.A.li. 



REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN, 

COMUADE GEOKGK S. liALL. 

Mr. Commander and Comrades : 

Allow me to indulge in some personal statements in this re- 
port. 

First, let me say my interest in tliis organization of tlie (irand 
Army of the Republic increases with the passing years. To me 
the walls of life press closer and closer. I look backward, per- 
haps, more than forward. 1 find myself in most profound sym- 
pathy with the purposes and principles of this body. 

The 3'ears spent in the field come back most vividly, and the 
ties formed in the hardships of camp-life, the perils of the battle- 
field, and the sufferings of the hospitals, grow stronger as age 
creeps on, with its noiseless step. This makes any means of re- 
calling and cherishing the memory of those hours appear more 
worthy and interesting! 

The organization we represent, with its principles of Frater- 
nity, Charit}^ and Loyalty, I need not say seems well calculated, 
when fully developed, to recall, cherish, and express the feelings 
to which I have alluded. 

But 1 am most anxious for its reputation. As ni}' pleasant 
relations, as an officer of the Department, will cease with this 
Annual Encampment, let my words, however humble, have your 
candid consideration. AVe must icin the respect and approbation 
of the conununities in which we live, by a proper self respect. 

Your standing you will create, as your deeds of valor made 
good your claim to the name Grand Army of the Eepublic. 
Sobriety and charity shall witness for us and compel respect, as 
your bearing in field and camp, in lonel}- watch, and by unfiinch- 
iug endurance, compelled admiration from your fellow citizens. 

Institutions are like living beings. Societies, to have power, 
must be vital and organic. But any organized human efforts re- 
ceive this vitality from its living and vital elements — from the 
individuals composing it. This shows the relation of the indi- 
vidual conu-ade to the Grand Army of the Republic. You stand 
not, connade, alone. Fraternity makes you responsible in some 
measure — and that measure, whether large or small, is vital — 

13 



194 EAKLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

for the place the Grand Army of the Republic shall hold in our 
State. One drunken comrade, one unworthy, unsoldierly act, 
does something towards cursing a Post, or the whole body, in the 
community ; as one licentious Pecksniff will shadow with suspi- 
cion a whole church. 

Also let me say if we could draw to us every worthy returned 
soldier and sailor who served in the last war, we must emphasize 
in all our Posts the principle of Fraternity on that side where the 
social element of our nature shall be attracted. In every heart 
lies deeply implanted a demand for society. It even shades and 
determines our religious polarity. Let us then make occasions 
where not only comrades shall gather, but also their wives, sweet- 
hearts, and children. Put thought, soul, and mirth into them; 
rehearse the story of camp and field ; correct the history of any 
army movement by what you really know of it ; and by dignity 
and reverence elevate yourselves, and thus elevate and make at- 
tractive this institution we foster. 

Today the lists of our charity diminish on the one side to in- 
crease perhaps on the other. Faith, Hope, and Charity form the 
arch of Christian graces ; but the greatest of these, inspired lips 
has pronounced to be Charity. Let it not fail. It were better 
that nine bummers were aided than one worthy comrade should 
turn away heartsore because our caution refused his claims and 
was blind to his necessities. 



I must pause. Each year at our Annual Encampment and 
Decoration Day we are reminded of the poetic epitaph, on a pine 
slab, at the head of an unknown grave: "A Union Soldier 
Mustered out of Service." They fall by our side. They go the 
way we shall soon go. 

Since our last Encampment the Department has lost a most 
worthy comrade in Past Chaplain Comrade Miles Sanford. It is 
a singular fact, that the only Past officers of the Department who 
have fallen are Past Chaplains the Rev. Wm. G. Scandlin and 
Rev. Miles Sanford. 

It was my privilege to know both of these men — the first 
intimately ; and to know was to respect and honor. The last I met 
when he was with the 27 th Regiment at Roanoke Island and 
Newberne. His energy and Christian zeal were limited somewhat 
by ill health while in the army ; but his interest in all that was 
good, brave, and true, attested by acts in the field and his long 
and faithful service in the vineyard of his Lord, make his loss 
great to us, the church, and his family ; and our deep sympathy 
goes out to those who mourn his loss most deeply. May I not 
be assured — we keep green the memory of those gone — but not 
lost. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 195 

Rejoicing today in lives spared, we pledge ourselves, re- 
newedly, to be faithful to our country and its institutions ; and as 
none can be thus faithful unless faithful to our God, shall we not 
all pledge ourselves, with the assistance of Ilis spirit, to l)e faith- 
ful to Him who has given us all blessings, and who will keep us 
as in the hollow of His hand — those gone and those who, as the 
rear guard, wait here a little longer for the command to cross the 
great river. 



The Judge Advocate, Comrade Blackmar, stated that he had 
no written report to offer. Owing to the good behavior of the 
Posts and comrades throughout the Department, there has been 
no general courts-martial, hence his duties had not been arduous 
in that direction ; and, concerning questions of a minor nature 
Avhich had been referred to him, he always declined to answer 
where his clients would be affected. 

The Chief Mustering Officer, in the absence of any material 
from Avhich to make a written report, regaled the P^ncampment 
with a few spicy i-emarks, taking occasion to remind the comrades 
of the necessity of attending Post meetings and of manifesting 
an interest in everj'thing pertaining to their Posts. 

Voted, To lay the address and reports upon the table. 

Voted, That the Council of Administration be a committee 
to draft and report resolutions npon the death of conn-ades 
alluded to in Commander's address. 

Voted, That when we adjourn it be to meet in IMechanics 
Hall, at 9 o'clock a.m., tomorrow. 

Voted, To adjourn. 



JANUARY 21.— MORNING SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 10 o'clock, the 
Council of Administration being unavoidably detained until that 
hour. 

Voted, To dispense with the reading of the records of last 
Encampment. 

Voted, To take address of Conunander and reports of De- 
partment officers from the table. 



196 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Motion to accept the address and reports, and amended 
ordering reports printed and requesting copy of Commander's 
address for insertion in the printed Pi'oceedings. Carried. 

The following amendments to the Rules and Regulations 
were suggested : — 

Chapter II., Article II., Section 4, so as to read, " If, on a count of 
tlie balls deposited, it appears that not more than one-third (jf the ballots 
cast are black, the candidate shall be declared elected," after the words 
" with ball IniUots shall be had." 

Offered by Comrade Ferren of Post 75. 

Chapter II., Article II., Section 5, so as to read, " If an applicant be 
rejected, his admission fee shall be returned, and he shall be forever 
after inelii^ible for admission to any other Post of the Grand Array of the 
Republic, without the consent, by a two-thirds vote, of the Post rejecting 
him; and not again eligible in the one in which he Avas rejected until 
six months after such rejection. A second, and all subsequent applica- 
tions, shall be in the same form and subject to the same conditions as the 
tirst." 

Offered by Comrade Phillips of Post 19. 

Voted., To refer the foregoing to the delegates to the National 
Encampment from this Department, with instructions to urge their 
adoption, if deemed advisable by them. 

A communication was received from Post 122, recommending 
the adoption of a Kossuth hat by the Posts of this Department, 
for parades ; also, looking to a change in the Ritual. Tabled. 

On motion of Conn-ade Parsons of Post 45, and amendment 
of the Assistant Adjutant-General, it was 

Voted., That a committee of eleven be appointed to prepare 
and submit a list of candidates for delegates and alternates to 
the National Encampment, and for members of the Council of 
Administration. 

The following comrades were appointed : Parsons of Post 
45, Skinner of Post 13, Dyer of Post 7, Robinson of Post <S5, 
Babbitt of Post o, Mackie of Post 125, Macnamara of Post 
15, Maxfield of Post 42, Fay of Post 43, Mansfield of Post 
12, and Pickett of Post 10. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to receive, 
assort, and count votes, for the election of a Commander. 

Comrades Evans of Post 30, Earp of Post 5, Atvvood of 
Post 73, Meech of Post 10, and Phillips of Post 19, were 
appointed. . 



NIKTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 197 

Comrades were requested by vote to be seated. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to receive, 
assort, and count votes, for the election of a Senior Vice- 
Commander. 

Comrades Fox of Post G8, Fairbanks of Post 10, Boardman 
of Post 113, Seavey of Post 74, and Nash of Post 7.S, were 
appointed. 

At this point, Comrade J. Frank Dalton, on l)i'half of Post 
34, invited the Encampment to dine with that Post, in their hall, 
and it was 

Voted, That a recess be taken at one o'clock for the purpose 
of accepting the invitation, if the business should not be com- 
pleted at that time. 

The result of the ballot for Commander was as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 237 

Necessary for a choice 119 

Geo. S. Merrill of Post 39 144 

Thomas Sherwin " 144 91 

S. C. Lawrence " 60 1 

A. O. Kinney , "103 1 

And, on motion of Comrade Edw. Sherwin, of Post 144, 
Comrade Merrill's election was made unanimous. 

Voted, That a committee of two be appointed to wait upon 
Comrade Merrill, inform him of his election, and escort him to 
the platform. 

Past Department Commander Sibley and Comrade Edw. 
Sherwin, of Post 144, were appointed. 

Comrade Merrill, upon being presented, was greeted with 
cheers, and responded eloquently. 

Voted, That the first committee appointed to receive, assort, 
and count votes be assigned to that duty in the election of Junior 
Vice-Commander. 

The ballot for Senior Vice-Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 240 

Necessary for a choice 121 

C. Frank Luther of Post 79 1G8 

Edwin Earp " 5 52 

A. O. Kinney "103 18 

I. F. R. Ilosea " GO 2 

And Comrade Luther's election was made unanimous. 



198 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 

Voted, That a committee of two be appointed to escort the 
Senior Vice-Commander-elect to the platform. 

Comrades Meeeh of Post 10, and Hoyt of Post 123, were 
appointed. Comrade Luther was pi'esented, and expressed his 
thanks to the Encampment. 

The following is a record of the ballot for Junior Vice- 
Commander : — 

FIRST BALLOT. 

Whole number of votes 240 

Necessary for a choice 121 

J. P. Maxfield, Post 42 88 

John McDonough, ^<- G6 76 

Edwin Earp, " 5 ..... 76 

And there was no choice. 

Comrade P^arp asked to be excused from serving upon the 
Committee, and Comrade Farmer of Post 19 was substituted. 

SECOND BALLOT. 

Whole number of votes 235 

Necessary for a choice 118 

J. P. MaxHeld, Post 42 109 

eTohn McDonough, "66 67 

Edwin Earp, '' "5 59 

And there was no choice. 

The Commander announced that the name of Comrade Earp 
should be dropped in accordance with the Rules and Regulations, 
he having received the lowest number of votes. 

THIRD BALLOT. 

Whole number of votes 219 

Necessary for a choice 110 

J. P. Maxfield, Post 42 172 

John McDonough, "66 ..... 47 

And Comrade Maxfield's election was made unanimous. 

Comrade White, of Post 35, moved that a committee of one 
be appointed to present Comrade Maxfield to the Encampment. 
Carried. 

Comrade White was appointed, and performed the duty in a 
very satisfactory manner, after which Comrade Maxfield ad- 
dressed the Encampment. 

Vofed, that the Assistant Adjutant-General be instructed to 
deposit one ballot, in the name of the Encampment, for Medical 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 199 

Director, upon which shall be written the name of Comrade 
Albert Wood of Post 10. Carried, by uuanimons consent, and 
Comrade Wood was declared elected. 

Comrade Warren H. Cud worth of Post 23 was elected 
Chaplain in the same manner, Comrade Ball having declined to 
be a candidate for re-election. 

Comrade Fox objected to the use of military titles in Grand 
Army meetings and upon ballots used in the election of Grand 
Army officers. 

Comrade Sherman, on behalf of Post 39, invited the En- 
campment to hold their next annual meeting in Lawrence, and 
the invitation was accepted by a unanimous vote. 

The Judge Advocate, on behalf of the Council, presented the 
following resolutions upon the death of Comrades Sanford and 
Tifft ; they were adopted by a rising vote, ordered to be spread 
upon the records, and a copy sent to the respective families : — 

Besnlved, That under the record of the death, during the past year, 
of Past Department Chaplain Comrade Miles Sanford, late of North 
Adams, we recognize, witl^ sincerest gratitude, his energy, devotion, and 
faithfulness during the war, his long service in all that pertains to the 
temporal and spiritual progress of the nation, and his relation to us as 
an earnest and efficient comrade. 

In sympathy with those who deeply mourn his loss we join, hut 
in the faitli that he has already received the "Well done, good and 
faithful servant." 

Itesijlrod, That in the death of Comrade L. A. Tifft, late of Spring- 
field, Aide-de-Camp to the Department Commander, the Department has 
lost one of its most earnest and efficient members. He was ever ready 
for duty, ever cheerful and genial. AVe mourn his loss, but give him an 
epitaph worthy a comrade : — 

" He has done lu3 whole duty." 

Resolved, That we tender to the family of our deceased comrade our 
earnest sympath}' for the loss they have met in his death. 

Comrade Parsons, chairman of committee to report a list of 
nominations for Council of Administration and delegates and al- 
ternates to the National Encampment, submitted his report. 

Comrade Greenough declined being a candidate as alternate, 
and Comrade Castle of Post 34 was substituted. 

Voted, To accept the report, and that the Assistant Adjutant- 
General be instructed to cast one ballot for the Council and one 
for the delegates and alternates, upon which should be entered the 



200 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



names as reported, as the vote of the Encampment, and the fol- 
lowing comrades were unanimously elected : — 

FOR COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Herbert E. Hill .... 

Chas. K. Conn 

J. M. Gate 

J. F. Meech 

Geo. S. Evans 

For delegates and alternates to the National Encampment: — 



of Post 139 


( ( 


33 


(( 


12 


(C 


10 


u 


30 



PELKGATE-AT-LARGE. 



ALTERNATE-AT-LARGE. 



Thomas Sherwin, 


Post 144 


Edwin Earp, 


Posts 


DELEGATES. 




ALTERNATES. 




Chas. H. Taylor, 


Post 139 


C. H. Pew, 2d, 


Post 45 


Geo. H. Fullerton, 




" 13 


.John Davol, Jr, 


" 46 


John McKay, Jr., 




7 


W. F. Hutchins, 


" 144 


Geo. E. Curtis, 




' 73 


W. E. Lewis, 


" 85 


Jacob Silloway, Jr., 




'' 94 


Chas. Castle, 


" 34 


E. B. Blasland, 




" 125 


J. W. Bigelow, 


" 37 


W. A. Simmons, 




' 15 


Horace C. Lee, 


" 15 


M. J. Ferren, 




' 75 


Wm. Spaldhig, 


" 11 


E. C. Whitney, 




' 43 


S. C. Chamberlain, 


" 54 


W. 0. Fiske, 




' 42 


J. L. Skinner, 


" 36 


Geo. E. Goodrich, 




' 19 


J. F. Searles, 


" 24 



Comrade Fox of Post 68 moved. That the delegates to the 
National Encampment be requested to urge the adoption of an 
amendment to Chapter II., Article VII., Section 2, of the Rules and 
Regulations, striking out all after the word "choice," thus doing 
away with the necessity for dropping the name of the candidate 
receiving the lowest number of votes in the election of officers. 
Carried. 

Commander Kimball installed the officers-elect, with the ex- 
ception of the Medical Director, the Chaplain, and Comrade Conn 
of the Council, who were absent. 

Commander Merrill addressed the Encampment briefly. 

Comrade Kimball thanked the comrades for their kindness to 
him. 

A vote of thanks was passed to Post 34 for their generous 
hospitality. Also, to the different railroad corporations, for free 
return tickets. And it was 

Voted, To adjourn. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 201 

After the adjournment, the comrades repaired to the hall of 
Post 34, and sat down to an elegant banquet given by the Post, 
following which came speeches from past and present officers, 
thanks to the ladies who had volunteered to wait upon the tables, 
cheers for the Post, and a general interchange of fraternal feel- 
ings. 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



202 EARLY HISTORY DEFT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1874. 



Headquarters Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Offi-ce, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Room 10, 
General Orders") Boston, Jan. 23, 1874. 

No. 1. i 

I. Having been elected Commander of this Department In- tlie 
comrades in Convention assembled on the 21st and 22d inst., and having 
been duly installed, I hereby assume the duties ot tlie office. 

II. Comrade Henry B. Feirce is hereby appointed Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, and Avill l)e obeyed and respected accordingly. Appoint- 
ments of other officers of the Staff' will )je announced in future orders. 

III. The office hours of the Assistant Adjutant-General will con- 
tinue as heretofore, from 10 to 12, and from 2 to 4, except Saturday 
afternoons, when the office will be closed. ^ 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Official : Commander. 

Henry B. Peirce, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Room 10, 
General Orders "I Boston, March 10, 1874. 

No. 2. ] 

I. The following Comrades are announced upon the Staff' of the 
Commander, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 

W. S. Greenough of Post 12, Walvefield, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General. 
E. B. Blasland of Post 125, S. Boston, Inspector. 
W. W. Blaclvmar of Post 113, Boston, Judge Advocate. 
J. G. B. Adams of Post 5, Lynn, Chief Mustering Officer. 
Henry A. Willis of Post 19, Fitchburg, Aide-de-Camp. 
John McKay, Jr., of Post 7, Boston, Aide-de-Camp. 
Brownell Granger of Post 26, Boston Highlands, Aide-de-Camp. 
E. C. Whitney of Post 43, Marlboro, " 

G. H. Prior of Post 56, Caml)ridge, 

Chas. D. Nash of Post 78, S. Abington, '* 

A. St. John Chambre of Post 72, Stoughton, " 

E. Mitchell of Post 3, Taunton, " 

L. A. Tift't of Post 16, Springfield, 

J. L. Skinner of Post 36, Amherst, " 

J. A. Richmond of Post 93, Shelburne Falls, " 

C. F. Luther of Post 79, N. Adams, " 



NINTH ANNUAT„ ENOAM.PMENT. 203 



Tlarlaii Fairbanks of Tost 10, Worcester, Aide-de-Camp. 

F. F. Fay of Post 123, Atliol, 

Geo. INI. Atwood of Tost 40, Maiden, " 

Melvin Beal of I'o.st .'51), Lawrence. " 

II. A list of the oflicers ejected at the annual Encampment of tliis 
Department, in Fitchburii, Jan. 21 and 22, appears in tlie " Roster," 
which accompanies this order. 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Ilr.Nuv B. rKiiifK, Commander. 

Axxitftaiit AdJHldnt-Goiiernl. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutant-Geneuai.'s Ofkice, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Rooivr 10, 
General Orders) Boston, May 1, 1874. 

No. o. j" 

In accordance with the Rules and Recnlations, and in compliance 
Avith General Orders No. 10, C.S., from National Headcpiarters. G.A R., 
Saturday, the liOtli inst., Avill be observed as Memorial Day by tlie com- 
rades of tliis Department of the Grand Army of the Repnl)lic. 

j'osts are re(|uested to invite the co-operation of all comrades not 
members of the Grand Army, of the clergy, and all Avho may feel 
interested in the Memorial service. 

Let it be remembered tliat the bi'ave soldier, whose deeds Ave com- 
memorate, whose memory we cherish, and Avliose patriotism Ave should 
emulate, uave his life a Avilliug sacrifice upon the altar of lii.s couutrj', 
not for any one class or condition, but for all the people, thate<|u;il rights 
and universal liberty might be secured to them and their posterity. 
Tlieu let all join Avith ns, their comrades, in paying our annual tribute of 
love and artection to the martyrs in the cause of freedom. 

And especially let us, Avho stood with them in the liour of battle, 
as Ave reverently place upon the green mound Avhich covers their sacred 
dust the beautiful spring floAvers, emblems of the future and better life, 
rencAv to each other otir most sacred obligation, to care for the needy 
and destitute Avards of our (Jrand Army, and the AvidoAvs and orphans of 
those Avho died that the Nation might live. And in decorating the 
graves of those Avho are ])ermitted to rest among their kindred and 
friends, do not forget those e(|ually dear and as sincerely mourned, Avho 
sleep in unknown graves on every battle-field of the Avar, Avhose resting- 
place, if marked at all, bears the simple, solemn Avord, " UnknoAvn "; but 
let us set apart some pleasant spot and dedicate it to their memories by 
raisi'Ug a mausoleum of the choicest floAvers, interspersed Avith evergreen, 
emblematic of our love l"or them; for although their resting-place is 
unknown to us, yet Ave Avill in our hearts keep their memories green and 
tiieir records of nol)le deeds untarnished. 

Let us also raise above the graves of our fallen ones the dear old 
flag they saved from dishonor; and, " If other eyes groAv dull, and other 
hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it 
Avell, as long as the light and Avarmth of life remain to us." 

By order of 

JOHN AV. KIMBALL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Comiaamler. 

Assistant Ad'intant-GeneraJ. 



10, J 



204 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquatiters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutant-General's Office, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Koom 
General Orders) Boston, June 15, 1874. 

No. 4. / 

I. Commanders of Posts are reminded that a new edition of the 
Rules and Regulations has just been prepared, containing the amend- 
ments adopted at the last meeting of the National Encampment, copies of 
"which may be procured at these Headiiuarters, at six cents eacli. It is 
desirable that every comrade should be supplied Avitli a copy, and aliso- 
lutely necessary that every Post officer should, in order that the duties 
pertaining to their respective offices may be properly performed. The 
Commander desires the Posts of this Departnu'ut to be as thoroughly 
equipped as possible in all that can in any "svay add to their usefulness, 
and feels sure that they 'will cheerfully act upon every suggestion tending 
in that direction. 

********* 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Henry B. Pkirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
Assistant Ad.iutant-General's Office, 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Room 10, 
General Orders'! Boston, July 27, 1874. 

No. 5. i 

1. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors for the districts named, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly :• — 

District No. 1, William Spalding, Chai'lestown : Posts 7, 15, 35, 
113, 125, 134. 

District No. 2, John A. Mackie, South Boston : Posts 2G, 30, 32, 
68, 143. 

District N'o. 3, Henry Wilson, Jr., Chelsea: Posts 4, 11, 23, 94, 

144, 149. 

District No. 4, T. J. Buflum, Somerville : Posts 40,56, 57, (J(3, 119, 
139, 148. 

District No. 5, Thos. Swazey, Jr., Marblehead : Posts 34, 82, 89, 90, 
118, 132. 

District No. G, Wm. H. Hurd, Stoneham : Posts 5, 12, 33, 75, 95. 

District No. 7, C. T. Perlvins, Watertown : Posts 6, 14, 22, 29, 
81, 142. 

District No. 8, Jeremiah Looby, Rockland : Posts 8, 13, 73, 74, 76, 
78, 106, 124. 

District No. 9, F. II. Bicknell: Posts 58, 87, 88, 112. 

District No. 10, J. Silloway, Jr., Canton: Posts 52, 72, 91, 110, 121, 

145, 147. 

District No. 11, W. C. Litchfield, South Scituate : Posts S3, 104, 
111, 127. 

District No. 12, A. M. Tilton, Haverhill: Posts 49, 101, lOS, 114, 
122, 151. 

District No. 13, T. C. Webber, Lowell : Posts 39, 42, 45, 47, 67, 102. 

District No. 14, E. S. Horton, Attleboro : Posts 1, 3, 46, 55, 129, 
133, 146. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MENT. 205 



District No. 15, G. II. Tatch, South Framingliam : Tosts 18, 21, 43, 
62, 63, 92. 

District No. Ifi, Geo. Randall, Hudson: Posts 9, 48, 54, 59, 64, 86, 
96. 

District No. 17, A. M. Parker and Jas. F. Meecli, Worcester: Posts 
10, 24, 27, 28, 60, 61, 77, 107, 131, 13;"), 136. 

District No. 18, W. H. Scaninlell, Milford : Posts 25, 70, 105, 117. 

District No. 19, Frank W. Polley, l>eoniinster : Posts 19, 50, 53, 69, 
109, 116, 123. 

District No. 20, J. W. Bigelow, Spencer: Posts 37, 38, 51, 65, 85, 
100. 

District No. 21, A. O. Kinney, Chicopee : Posts 16, 41, 71, 80, 103. 

District No. 22, Geo. C. Clapp, Northampton : Posts 17, 36, 44, 84, 
93, 97, 120, 150. 

District No. 23, William W. Monta;oraery, North Adams : Posts 79, 

98, 126, 130, 137. 

********* 

Post Commanders are again urged to send to Ilcadciuarters all in- 
formation concerning ajiplications for aid from traveling soldiers as 
fast as received. Nearly all are tramps, and their o])erations can be 
stopped in a measure l)y i)romi)t action on the part of those to Avhom 
tliey apply. 

********* 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Henhy B. Peiiick, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-d eneral. 



Hl'..VDQt'ARTEKS DePT. OF MaSS., G.A.K.,"| 

Assistant Ad.htant-Generai/s Ofeue, I 
Merchants Exchange, State Street, Roo.m 10, j 
General Orders \ Boston, Oct. 12, 1874. 

No. 6. j 

I. The followinur-nanipd Comrades are herel)y appointed Assistant- 
Inspectors for the Districts named, and Avill be obeyed and respected 
accordingly: Sixteenth District, J. W. Pedrick of Hudson, vice Randall, 
removed from District; Nineteenth District, Ethan W. Holden of West- 
minster, vice Polley, declined. 

********* 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



llEADCilARTERS DePT. OF MasS , (i.A.R.,1 

Assistant Ai).TUTANr-(iENERAL's Office, >■ 
No. 368 Washington Street, Room 7, J 
General Orders "i Boston, Dec. 1, 1874. 

No. 7. j 

I. Hereafter the Headquarters of this Department may be found 
as above. 



206 EARLY HISTOKV DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.K. 



II. Comrade C. M. Brown, of North Adams, is hereby appointed 
Assistant Inspector of the Twenty-third District, vice Montgomery, 
resigned. lie will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

III. The Commander desii-es to call the attention of Posts througli- 
out this Department to the destitute condition of the soldiers in Minne- 
sota, as set forth in Circular No. 1, C.S., from National Head(iuarters. 
Many of the Posts have responded liberally; but, as winter approaches, 
their needs are more apparent, and it is hoped that every Post will be 
able to contribute something. Contributions should be sent to Comrade 
R. I). Barber, Medical Director, Department of Minn., Worthington, 
Minn., who is chairman of the relief committee of Stoddard Post No. 34. 

********* 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Henky B. Peirck, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-Creneral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
No. 368 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 30, 1874. 

No. 9. / 

I. The foUowing^named Comrades arc designated as Mustering 
Officers, and will install the officers of the Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names : — 

S. C. Hart, 1, 146; E. Mitchell, 3, 55; Alfred Hocliing, 4, 95; Geo. 
S. Ball, 6, 14, 22; Wm. Spalding, 7, 23, 32, 134; J. C. Sullivan, 8; J. S. 
Fay, 9, 43; J. Pickett, 10, 61 ; W. S. Greenough, 12; W. H. Osborne, 13, 
124; J. II. Barnes, 15, 26, 68; A. O. Kinney, 16, 41, 103; F. F. Fay, 17, 
123; R. T. Nash, 18, 62, 63, 142; F. W. Policy, 19, 53, 64, 69; J. E. Fiske, 
21; J. F. Searle, 24, 25, 00; Wm. Beach, 28, 59; Geo. S. Evans, 30, 81, 
92; J. T. Wilson, 33, 148; I. H. Edgett, 34, 89: H. Wilson, Jr., 35, 149; 
J. L. Skinner, 36, 97; A. D. Ward, 37, 38, 51, 65; Geo. S. Merrill, 39, 47; 
Chas. O. Welch, 40, 57, 139; T. C. Webber, 42, 102; J. L. Otis, 44; Wm. 
A. Stone, 45, 67; Jos. Harrison, 46, 129; S. A. Green, 115; T. E. Cutter, 
49, 114, 122; Geo. H. FuUertown, 52,94; Geo. H. Prior, 56, 121, 143; 
F. H. Bicknell, 58, 104; W. H. Hurd, 66, 75, 119; A. St. John Chambre, 
70, 72; E. P. Clark, 71, 80; Chas. 1). Nash, 73, 78, 127; J. Looby, 74; 
A. S. Bvrnes, 76, 111; C. F. Luther. 79, 12(), 130; J. R. Merritt, 82; J. G. 
Knight, 83, 112; C. C. Haskell, 84, 93, 120; H. A. Monk, 87, 88; J. W. 
Barnard, 90, 132; W. T. C. Colt, 98, 137; F. H. Moore, 100; S. Nelson, 
101, 108, 151; D. A. Partridge, 105, 117; H. C. Alden, 106, 110; V. P. 
Parkhurst, 109; H. R. Sibley, 113; Geo. V. Barrett, 48; A. A. Carlton, 
118; J. F. Meech, 131, 135; D. H. Smith, 133, 145; Thos. Sherwin, 144, 
147. 

The officers of the Posts 5, 11, 29, and 125 will be installed by the 
Chief Mustering Officer, Comrade J. G. B. Adams. 

IL The foregoing arrangement has been made in order that the 
service may be rendered without expense to the Department. In case of 
tlie absence of the comrade designated above for any Post, and where no 
comrade has been assigned, the Senior Past Post Commander present 
will act. 

III. Arrangements are being made for free return tickets over all 
the railroads running into Boston, for use of delegates to the Depart- 
ment Encampment, to be held at Salem upon the 20th prox. 



NINTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 20^ 



IV. The Council of Administration will meet at the Essex House, 
Salem (Ilooms of Department Headquarters), at 0.30 r.M., upon the day 
of the Encampment. 

By order of 

JOHN W. IvIMr,.VLL, 
Hkxrv B. Tkikck, Commaiuler. 

Assista nt Adjutant-Gen era I . 



Headquakteus Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Aojutant-Gexekals ()it-tce, 
2so. oGa Washington Stkeet, Room 7 
General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 21, l.s74. 

No. 8. ( 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department Avill be convened 
in the Hall of Thil. Sheriden Post ;U, Salem, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1875, 
at 7 o'clock P.M., for the election of l)ei)artment Officers and such other 
l)usiness as may come before it. 

In accordance with the Rules and Rci^ulations, Posts will ])e entitled 
to repri'sentatiou in the ratio of one tleh-iiate for every fifty members 
reported in good standing, with one additional meml)er for a final fraction 
of more than half that nnndier; but each Post, whatever its mind)ers, 
shall be entitled to clioose at least one member. Post Commanders are 
members l)y virtue of their office. 

II. The Commander of Post ;U will detail an Officer of tlie Day, an 
Officer of the Guard, and a sudicient number of Sentinels, for duty during 
the Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to the Assistant 
Adjutant-General, at (!.:>0 p.m. on the 20th ])rox , for instructions. 

III. Post Commanders will lie reipiired to forward ))efore Jan. 0, 
1875, the Adjutant's, (.Quartermaster's, and Surgeon's reports, together 
witli all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to the Di'partment 
Encampment, who nuist be elected at the last stati'd meeting in Dt'cend)er 
(same time and manner as Post officers) ; and the Adjutant's report nmst 
give the list of Post officers-elect. 

IV. Commanders of Posts that have not been visited by an assist- 
ant insi)ector during tiie jiresent (piarter, or have not received notice of 
such intended visit, Avill notify tliis office at once. 

V. The officers electi'd by the several Posts will be installed by the 
Chief Mustering Officer, or l)y comrades tlesignated by him, at the first 
meeting succeeding their electi(m. Tlie Ciiief will be governed by the 
wishes of Posts in the selection of mustering officers Avhen practicalile ; 
but such requests nuist be made immediately. Where no comrade is 
assigne<l, the duty will l)e i)erfornied by the Senior Past Post Commander 
present. 

VI. Tlie Commandi'r calls the attention ti) tlie '■ Memorial Ser- 
vice," transmitted to the Posts of tins Di'iiartnient with G. < >. .\o. 7, 
C.S., from National lU'aihiuarters. Believing tiiat a more a|)propriate 
ceremony couhl not be desired, he earnestly commends its observance. 

By order of 

JOHN W. KIMBALL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Cummander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




GEO. S. MERRILL, 

DEPARTIVlENT COM IVI^NDER, 

1875. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT LAWRENCE, 
1876." 



JANUARY 19. — EVENING SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 7 o'clock by 
Commander Merrill, all of the Department officers being present 
except the Senior Vice-Commander, the Chaplain, the Chief 
Mustering Officer, and Comrade Conn of the Council of Adminis- 
tration. 

The roll was called, and 232 comrades, representing 32 
Posts, answered to their names. Among the number were Past 
Department Commanders Cogswell, Sibley, and Underwood. 

In the absence of the Chaplain and upon request of the 
Commander, prayer was offered by the Chaplain of Post 3!). 

Comrades not members were invited to take seats in the 
balconies. 

The first regular business was the address of Commander 
Merrill. 

ADDRESS OF COMMANDER MERRILL. 
Comrades : 

As the opening of another year brings us together once more, 
in full numbers and fraternal spirit, let us be not unmindful of 
the kind Providence which, sliiolding us in the hour of conflict 
and peril, has crowned with rich blessings these intervening years 
of peace, and given to us again tlie joyful greetings of old com- 
rades, with all the patriotic emotions and golden memories awakened 
by these anniversaries. The year past marked the close of the 
first decade since, with folded tents and furled banners, the 
armies of the Republic, their combats ended, their marches all 
o'er, gladly turned their faces homeward, rejoicing in peace so 
worthily won, in the re-established integrity and unity of the 
nation for which they had contended. "We meet today, iu the 

209 

14 



210 EAKLY HISTOKY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

opening hours of the grand centennial, rounding out the first 
century of the American Republic ; and as our hearts are thrilled 
anew with the story of the sturdy patriots of 177(3, we should the 
more rejoice that to us was given the honor of sharing in pre- 
serving the government they founded in wisdom, that the entwin- 
ing memories of 1776 and 1861 might crown with lasting and 
perpetual glory a free and undivided Republic. 

While during the year our organization, throughout the De- 
partment, has been preserved from special disaster, and the 
reduction in the number of Posts has been less than during the 
preceding j'ear, the wide-spread depression in business, the gen- 
eral reduction in wages, the decrease of production, of necessity 
severely felt in the ranks of an Order made up so largely from 
the industrial classes, has left its unwelcome impress in les- 
sened numbers, arising from a smaller list of recruits mustered, 
and an increase in the roll of suspended for non-payment of dues. 
With the hoped-for brighter prospects to the industries of the 
State, we may reasonably anticipate the recovery of some of the 
ground thus lost ; but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact, forci- 
bly suggested in the addresses of my two immediate predecessors, 
that we are all of us older today by nearly a quarter of the 
allotted span of human life, than when our names were placed 
upon the enlistment roll, and that the inevitable musteriug-out 
officer has depleted our ranks as surely and almost as swiftly by 
natural causes, during the decade of peace, as by the bullet, the 
shell, and the disease of camp in the years of our active service ; 
and unless we rouse to a vigorous effort for recruitment from 
among the thousands of true soldiers and sailors yet remaining 
outside our ranks, who ought, by every consideration of patriotic 
duty and fraternal obligation to be enrolled in our membership, 
we must march hereafter with lighter tramp and ever-lessening 
lines. 

The largest number of members in good standing was at 
close of the second quarter of 1873, reaching, when all the reports 
were received, 11,382; at the close of that year, the reports gave 
11,088, a decrease of 294. The closing quarter of 1874 found 
us with a membei'ship of 10,541, a decrease of 547. For the 
fourth quarter of 1S75, estimating the 6 posts from which reports 
are wanting, we have a membership of 0,456, a decrease of 1,085 
during the year. The figures upon the annual reports of the 
Assistaut Adjutant-General vary slightly from these, as they 
necessarily omit the reports not made to him at the close of the 
final quarter; but the comparative results are substantially the 
same. With the decrease of membership has come a material 
reduction in revenue, and by the removal of National Head- 
quarters we have been deprived of the share of rental previously 
paid by them ; this removal, also, necessitated the purchase of a 



TKNTII ANNUAT, ENCAMTMENT. 211 

safe and desks, the cost of which, one hundred and fifty dollars, 
has been included in the ordinary expenditures of the year. But 
through careful economy and watchfulness, and a reduction — 
except in the above-explained item of rent — of the incidental 
expenses to the lowest figure, the financial exhibit of the year 
shows no increase in the liabilities of the Department ; yet, if the 
diminution in numbers is to continue, the report of the Assistant 
(Quartermaster-General will indicate the necessity for some action 
of a financial nature to prevent the incurrence of indebtedness by 
the Department. For the details of the work and results of the 
year, 1 refer you to the excellent report of the several olficers of 
the Department ; and for their suggestions, as well as those of 
the Council of Administration, I bespeak your careful con- 
sideration. 

It is at the same time exceedingly gratifying that, with the 
many disadvantageous circumstances, there has been no apparent 
diminution in the interest of the comrades in the principles and 
purposes of the Grand Army, and there have been only harmony 
and good feeling throughout the entire Department. During the 
year there have been two county parades ; that of Essex, at 
Haverhill, under the efficient direction of Comrade Creasey, being 
one of the largest this organization 'has ever held, while the 
cordiality of the welcome extended by the people generally, the 
splendid decorations and enthusiastic reception, evinced that the 
citizens of that section surely have abated no degree of their 
interest in the Boys in Blue. The parade of Middlesex, in Cam- 
bridge, was in all respects worthy the conu-ades of that county 
and the gallant Past Commander who so admirably conducted it: 
a display in all and every degree in keeping with the matchless 
autumnal day which a smiling Providence vouchsafed. 

It is to be regretted that other counties in which our organi- 
zation is strong and compactly located, do not enlist in these 
reunions ; and although I believe them to be more beneficial to 
the Grand Army than larger and less wieldy parades, I earnestly 
echo the hope of one or more of my predecessors, that in the near 
future, — this year, I trust, unless the centennial observances in- 
tervene, — while we are in full numbers, to "be privileged once to 
see the membership of the (irand Army of the entire State mar- 
shaled in a Departmental parade. It would be a sight to rejoice 
our waiting eyes, and thrill with glowing memories our hearts, to 
look down the line of five or six thousand veterans, as again they 
touched elbows beneath the twin banners of Massachusetts and 
the Republic. There have been numerous camp-fires and neigh- 
borhood gatherings — a means of keeping alive the fires of patriotic 
and fraternal devotion which I would were multiplied in all sec- 
tions of the State. I believe no one thing more surely tends to 
promote the welfare, increase the interest, and add to the mem- 



212 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 

bership of our organization, than these social gatherings, and that 
the Posts most assiduously cultivating such means of enjoyment 
and association will be found the strongest and best in the Depart- 
ment. Let us the more frequently invite comrades of other Posts 
to our meetings, provide in an inexpensive manner for their enter- 
tainment, and thus keep ever brightly burning the camp-fires 
around which we may gather; and as we look into the eyes, and 
grasp the hands of old comrades-in-arms, strive to perpetuate the 
thousand glowing memories of camp and field, of the sharp con- 
flict and thrilling charge — the more lastingly and closely cement- 
ing the comradeship born amid the smoke of battle and beneath 
the streaming folds of the flag of the Republic. 

I have made nearly fifty Grand Army visits during the year; 
and that the number has not been larger, I must frankly say is 
hardly the fault of the Commander, for with a single exception 
every invitation received has been accepted ; and I wish to sug- 
gest for your benefit and that of my successor, that this number 
be doubled the coming year, as I believe great benefit arises, 
especially to the smaller Posts, by a visit from the oflicers of the 
Department, and I know from experience how useful it is to 
the Commander. If the annual work of inspection, now crowded 
into a single month, and by comrades of such neighboring posts 
as will make light the attendant expense, could by some prac- 
ticable arrangement be largely confided to the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, so that he, as official representative of the Commander, 
could visit most of the Posts during the year, I believe it would 
tend largely to their encouragement and growth ; and it would 
seem that such service might be so arranged as to seldom take 
this otHcial from Headquarters during ordinary business hours. 

In no year has the impressive service of Memorial Day been 
more widely or tenderly observed than the past ; and we may 
feel assured that there is little danger of the lessons of the great 
struggle in behalf of an imperiled nation fading from the memo- 
ries of the people, or their influence being lost upon the hearts 
of the rising generation, so long as with the coming of each glad 
spring-time the survivors of the war so reverently bring their 
blossoms of beauty to strew upon the silent mounds of their 
fallen comrades, covering their graves with garlands of ever- 
green and myrtle, and planting there the old banner, to wave in 
the glad sunlight, kissed by the softest of earth's breezes and 
bedewed with the showers of Heaven, fit emblem of the cause for 
which their lives were so cheerfully given — the loyalty to coun- 
try for which we yet contend. 

The relief work of the Order has been admirably sustained ; 
and despite the necessity imposed by the financial depression, of 
most carefully husbanding our resources, the amount of disburse- 
ments has reached $33,000, but little less than in the moi'e pros- 



TENTH ANNUAL KNCAMI'MENT. 21P> 

perous year previous ; and from instances which have come under 
my observation, some of the smaller Posts have, in proportion to 
their numbers and ability, fairly eclipsed the magnificent expen- 
ditures of the strongest in the Department. I trust we shall 
never forget that the stringency of the times comes with double 
bitterness to those of our comrades and their dependent ones who 
were less fortunate than most of us in escaping the perils of the 
camp and the contliet ; and it is doubly our duty to so earnestly 
appeal to the patriotism and the generosity of a grateful people, 
that none of these wards of the Republic may be left to cold and 
indifferent charity, while from no hands, surely, can benefactions 
come with so much judiciousness in disbursement or tender sym- 
pathy; as from those of old companions in arms. 

The year closed has brought to our Order a sorrow of no 
ordinary degree, in the death at his home in Weymouth, on the 
11th of November, of Comrade James L. Bates, the first Past 
Commander this Department has been called to mourn. A brave 
and chivalrous soldier, discharging every duty with conscientious 
fidelity and faithfulness ; serving his country with the singleness 
of purpose which alone his pure nature could inspire ; counting 
no cost too great, and hesitating at no sacrifices for the main- 
tenance of the unity and the integrity of the Republic ; seeking 
no personal preferment, but content ever in the willing comple- 
tion of Avhatever duty the needs of the passing hour seemed to 
demand ; caring for his comrades of the flag with all the tender- 
ness of a mother's heart : no man better deserved the full 
measure of respect and love always and everywhere accorded 
him. A comrade of the Grand Army, among the earliest to 
become enrolled in its membership, and till the hour of his de- 
parture losing no degree of his warm interest in its principles and 
success, his generous sympathies infolded every defender of the 
Union cause; despising not distinction, if like his own, well-won 
valor and courage in the conflict of arms, but welcoming equally 
the badge of honorable service that comes from worthily wearing 
the blue uniform and carrying the musket of the private soldier. 
As Department Commander he gave the organization a j-ear of 
most faithful service, and by his conscientious, intelligent devo- 
tion, earnest and self-sacrificing efforts, left upon the Order the 
impress of his own character, and gave to his successors a model 
worthy their imitation. Upon his retirement, with personal ab- 
negation so like himself, he accepted the urgent invitation of the 
comrades of his own Post to become again its Commander, which 
position he worthily filled till his decease ; in all the walks of life 
commanding the warm confidcMice and best love of his neighbors 
and friends, and in the discharge of dillicult and perplexing public 
trusts worthily deserving the simple epitaph it was his desire to 
win, "Faithful and Fearless." The death of our comrade was 



214 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

officially aanouuced, and a large representation of the Order was 
among the willing throng who joined in the last solemnities at his 
funeral. While we mourn his loss, we have remaining the rich 
legacy oi his pure life and example ; there is, in truth, no death 
to the brave, the generous, and the true ; while over their bodies 
the mounds grow old, their spirits live in immortal youth. Be it 
ours so to catch the inspiration of his life, that we may as re- 
signedly meet the summons of the Grand Commander, and with 
our departed comrade answer in the roll-call of the reunited 
Grand Army on the golden fields of that new camping-ground to 
which so many of our comrades have already been called. 

Almost eleven years have passed since the last struggle closed 
with the complete restoration of the unity of our Republic ; and 
we have already entered upon that cycle of centennials in which 
the great pulse of the nation throbs with fresh patriotism and 
newly-awakened enthusiasm, as we lift the curtain that has fallen 
upon the deeds and memories of our Revolutionary fathers. In 
the months gone, we have seen uncounted thousands of our people 
making a willing pilgrimage to the shrines of those earliest de- 
fenders of our land upon whose silent graves rests the dust of a 
hundred years, and have witnessed the grand pa<ieant with which 
our Commonwealth commemorated the story of Bunker Hill. 

Already the dawning year has been welcomed with the glad 
music of clanging bells and booming cannon, and the hundredth 
anniversary of the nation's birth is to be celebrated in a man- 
ner worthy a free people ; and it seems most appropriate that 
in the great celebration of the year, the soldiers and sailors of our 
later struggle should bear a conspicuous part. Most fittingly, the 
Connnander-in-Chicf of our organization, as gallant a soldier as 
the old Keystone State gave to the nation, is at the head of the 
Connnonwealth within whose chief city is to be commemorated the 
events of 1776 ; and none will be surer of a more cordial wel- 
come tliere than the veterans, so many of whom partook of the 
rare hospitality of the great-hearted men and loving women of that 
city of peace, in their march to the early battle-fields of the war. 
I am not certain that it will be advisable to take any action as a 
Department, in relation to attendance at the Philadelphia observ- 
ances the coming suanner; but the invitation is most pressing, 
and the arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment of our 
members will be as ample and generous as the hospitality of our 
comrades and the citizens of that State can make it. In the years 
of the future there is likely to be no such extensive reunion of the 
Boys in Blue, as during this celebration ; and surely if any body 
of men in our land have a special right to share in commemo- 
rating the stirring events in which a nation was born, it is they 
who bore so active a part in the efforts by which that nation was 
preserved. Already initiative steps have been taken towards a 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMI'MKNT. 215 

large representation of the Grand Army in this Department at the 
centennial gathering ; in Middlesex connty good progress has 
been made in recruiting a regiment of our members for this pur- 
pose ; other Posts have voted to attend, with prospects of consid- 
erable numbers ; and I sincerely hope the movement may spread, 
until representatives of every Post in the Department may unite 
in so pleasant and patriotic an observance. It is our only cen- 
tennial. Let its memories stir our hearts to a participation in all 
its grand ceremonies. 

And in this memorable year, standing thus upon the threshold 
of the opening century, across which stream the treasured 
memories of the long years agone, with hearts uplifted by all 
the recollections of the past, and with no bitterness towards any 
portion of the people of our land as we join in the nation's grand 
jubilee, we forget not that the deeds of 1776 are the inheritance 
of a common land, recognizing no North and no South, but one 
country and one flag; and we know that when, but a few months 
since, companies and regiments of Southern soldiers stood in line 
in the very shadow of the granite shaft crowning Pmnker Hill, to 
unite in celebrating the centennial of that earlier conflict for a 
common liberty, no hands more kindly than ours clasped theirs 
upon that historic ground and under the old flag; as, striving not 
to recall the memories that were behind, we turned our faces to 
the opening promises of the j'ears to come, with hopes for naught 
but peace and fraternity in all the future of an undivided country. 
The Grand Army of the Republic cherishes no antagonisms, seeks 
to perpetuate no sectional animosities ; but let us never for a 
moment, in this or any future j'ear, forget that not valor, but 
Lo3'alty, is the corner-stone of our organization. The pages of 
history are burdened with the story of men who have bravely 
dared to suffer and die in support of that which has received the 
utter condemnation of humanity. No men better appreciate than 
the soldiers of the Union armies the courage of their opponents 
upon so many fields, none more willingly accord to them the 
fullest measure of conscientious conviction ; but we raise our 
monuments and strive to perpetuate the memories of our service, 
not in exultation over the humiliation of our foes, but in lasting 
honor to the devotion and sacrifices of the patriotic defenders of 
national honor and unity. We bring, with each bright spring, our 
fragrant blossoms to the graves of our fallen comrades, not 
merely as a tribute to personal valor or courage, but in loyal 
exaltation of the holy cause of Freedom and Nationality for which 
they fell. And, believing, with a faith as unwavering as that we 
hold in our country and our God, that the principles for which we 
contended from l.SfJl to 1^0,5, were as sacredly just as those for 
which a hundred years ago our fathers fought on the plains of 
Concord and Lexington, and on the crest of Bunker Hill, ask us 



216 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A„R. 

not to elevate the cause of the Confederacy to the plane of our 
own, by recognizing its organised supporters or fa-Ueu defenders 
as entitled to the same meed of praise and grandeur of eulogy a/s 
the martyred comrades of ours, whose sacrifice was otherwise 
causeless and in vain. While with warm hearts we welcome the 
nation's celebration, and join therein with every loyal supporter 
o£ an undivided country and a single flag, be it far from our 
tongues or hearts, by w^ord, act, or inference, to seemingly 
apologize before God or to man for having done our best to 
support and defend that country and flag against any and all 
assailants in the hour of their peril. 

I cannot close without expressing a cordial and grateful 
acknowledgment of the earnest and efficient labors of the officers 
with whom your wise choice associated me during the year ; and 
to the members of my own Staff, for their constant w\atchfulnes 
over the interests of the Order, their counsel and sympathy, and 
the energy and promptness w^hich they brought to the discharge 
of the duties of their several positions. To them and to you, my 
earnest comrades, is due the measure of harmony, good fe'^'liug,, 
and success attending the organization throughout the year. A 
little more than five years ago, the Department Commander, with 
whom we have sadly parted the past year, called to his service a« 
Assistant Adjutant-General a comrade who from that time has 
devoted his best energies to the interests of the Grand Army ; 
by his personal excellences and social virtues endearing himself 
more closely year by year to the comrades, and from his thorough 
business qualifications, entire familiarity with the Rules and 
Regulations, and conscientious service, contributing in a large 
degree to the growth and strength of the Order, its uniform suc- 
cess and admirable reputation, and in all his relations wath the 
Grand Army commanding the respect and confidence and winning 
the esteem and love of those he so faithfully served. 

During the months past, the people of the State, in search 
of a model public servant, have called him to a wider field of 
activities, inviting him from the service of the Grand Army to 
that of the Commonwealth. His place will be most difficult to 
fill ; but from hearts full of regret at our loss, we alike cordially 
congratulate him ami the State on so deserved a recognition ; and 
with gratitude for the long years it has been his pleasure to be 
our servant, I know you will join with me in kindliest wishes for 
success and good fortune in all the future of our Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, Henry B. Peirce. 

I cannot sufficiently thank my comrades throughout the 
Department, not alone for the distinguished mark .of their confi- 
dence in honoring me with this position, but for their entire 
cordiality and uniform courtesy in all the year past. To be 
counted a worthy member of the Grand Army of the Republic 



TKNTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 217 

is au honor no man may despise ; to have been permitted to 
serve for a single term as Commander of the Department of 
Massachusetts, as the representative of ten thousand veteran sol- 
diers and sailors of our Commonwealth, will be treasured by me 
with lasting gratitude and constant pride. I trust the experi- 
ence of the year past gives promise of the entire harmony and 
good feeling that are to characterize our deliberations during this 
session, that our cherished organization may enter upon the cen- 
tennial year with increased prospects of growth and usefulness ; 
and a^ I surrender to you the high trust you have generously 
confided to my keeping, while regretting my inability to have 
given you larger measure of service, I shall return to the ranks 
with quickened zeal, praj-ing that the richest of Heaven's bless- 
ings may rest upon every comrade of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 19, 1876. 
Commander and Comrades of the Dejxtrtment Encanipmeiit : 

I have the honor to submit the following report for the year 
1875 : — 

Number of Posts Dec. ol, 1874 141 

Number of members in good standing appearing upon re- 
port for fourth quarter, 1874 10,541- 

Number of Posts Dec. ol, 1875 139 

Number of members in good standing appearing upon re- 

|X)rt for fourth quarter, 1875 9,395 

The following charters have been annulled or surrendered 
during the year : — 

Post 21 Needham. 

" 44 Northampton. 

"70 Franklin. 

" lOG Holbrook. 

Charters have been granted during the year to 

Post 20 Colrain. 

"31 Scituate. 

Number of members admitted by muster 715 

" " " " transfer 11 G 

" " " " reinstatement . . . 819^ 

" " lost by death 126* 

" " " " honorable discliarge ... 108 

" " " " transfer 108 

" " dropped from the rolls .... 1,420 

" " dishonorably discharged .... 1 

" " remaining suspended 1,197 

" rejected applicants during the year .... 23 



218 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The amount disbursed for relief purposes during the year, 

so far as reported, was §27,956.22 

Number of conu-ades aud their families aided .... 801 
Number of soldiers, not inembers, and families of de- 
ceased soldiers aided 1,059 

This report is for one hundred and thirty-six Posts. 

Posts 41, Westfield, and 119, Lexington, are in arrears for 
fourth quarter, 1875. Post 137, Great Barrington, has made no 
reports for two years ; and in September last, the Senior Vice- 
Commander, in accordance with a request from the Council of 
Administration, visited Great Barrington to investigate the case. 
Conu'ade Luther obtained a promise from a former active member 
of the Post that an attempt would be made at once to revive it, 
and so reported. It is presumed that the attempt proved fruitless, 
as nothing further has been heard from it. 

The report for fourth quarter, 1875, gives the smallest mem- 
bership of any quarter for several years ; but the loss by death 
during that time (3G) was the largest ever reported for a single 
quarter. 

Of the Posts that have been active in mustering during the 
year may be mentioned Post 47, Haverhill, which admitted sixty 
recruits. Post 1, New Bedford, mustered forty-eight. Post 39, 
Lawrence, twenty-six. 

The membership of the Grand Army in Massachusetts is 
comprised as follows : — 

Berkshire County has 4 Posts with a membership of 113 

124 

162 

168 

574 

658 

726 

1,415 

1,581 

1,906 

1,968 



Hampshire 




" 4 


Franklin 




" 5 


Hampden 




" 3 


Norfolk 




" 12 


Bristol 




" 9 


Plymouth 




" 13 


Suffolk 




" 13 


Worcester 




" 28 


Essex 




" 18 


Middlesex 




" 27 



Totals, 136 9,395 

Number of comrades entitled to seats in tliis Encampment, 
376. 

During the past year the membership has decreased nearly ten 
per cent. This fact may be attributed partly to a more thorough 
observance of Sections 3 and 4, Article IV., Chapter V., Rules 
and Regulations, which relate to comrades in arrears for dues ; 
though, of course, many have allowed their names to be dropped 
from the rolls because of inability to pay their assessments, and 



TKNTH AXXIAL ENCAMPMENT. 219 

a false pride, which woukl not permit them to usk the Post of 
which they were members for a remission ; and again, the gain by 
mnster, which mnst necessarily grow less as the years pass, was 
only two-thirds of what it was in 1874. Doubtless the stagnation 
of business had something to do with this large falling off ; the 
scarcity of labor and corresponding scarcity of money deterring 
many who would otherwise have identified themselves with us. 
Notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, several of the Posts 
show a larger membership than at the commencement of the year, 
which shows what can be a(;complished by determined and united 
effort on the part of officers and members. 

This leads me to refer to a complaint which comes from many 
Posts concerning the utter h.ck of interest manifested by their re- 
tiring officers. While Post Commanders who have been constant 
and faithful during their term of otlice may reasonably expect a 
respite at its close, yet the comrades who have honored them with 
the highest office within their gift have a right to notice their 
protracted, and in some instances entire, absence from Post meet- 
ings. 

vSpecial reference to either of the large number of adjutants 
who have been thorough and elficient during the year just closed 
cannot be made without injustice to the others : they have their 
reward in the knowledge that their work has been well done, while 
those who have neglected their duties are sufficiently punished by 
their own conscience. 

The relief work has fallen off but little from previous years; 
3'et Posts have been compelled to rely more upon themselves for 
means with which to carry it on, and, as a consequence, it has 
been confined more to members and their families, and to widows 
and orphans. 

Professional aid seekers have not received that encourage- 
ment which has rewarded their efforts in previous years, and the 
usual caution in that direction seems to be no longer necessary. 

In closing my sixth and last report, I lack for wolxls with 
which to express my gratitude to all the comrades, from the 
highest to the humblest, for the generous treatment which I have 
always received at their hands. The brightest hours of my life 
have been spent at Headquarters, and you have made them so 
by your uniform kindness and regard. Friendships have been 
formed which nothing can sever, and I am more than ever con- 
vinced that the fraternal feeling which exists between soldiers 
has no comparison. I bespeak for my successor the same cordial, 
hearty support which has always been accorded to me, and 1 sin- 
cerely ho[)e that his dealings with the couu-ades may be as 
pleasant as mine have been. 

I sliall remeniber with pride that I have in this capacity 
received youi- confidence so long, and I shall be equally proud [.> 



220 KARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

be banded together with a body of men whose aims are un- 
selfish and whose works will endure forever. 

In again taking my place in the ranks, I do it with a firm 
determination not to abate one jot or tittle of my interest in the 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjuta nt- General. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 19, 1876. 
Commander and Comrades of the DejKirttnent Encaynpment : 

1 have the honor to submit the following report for the year 
ending Dec. 31, 1S75 : — 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash ou hand at last Report $467. 18 

Dues for fourth quarter of 1874 843.28 

" first " 1875 811.52 

" " second " 1875 790.72 

" third " 1875 7G4 40 

Arrearages of dues for second quarter of 18 74 .88 

" " third " 1874 7.44 

'• " " " fourth " 1874 4.72 

" first " 1875 14.88 

" " " " second " 1875 2.48 

Charter fees, Posts Nos. 20 and 31 20.00 

Sales of Books, Blanks, etc., to Posts 523.32 

Sales of Badges to Posts 584.80 

Temporary Loan (by vote of Council of Administration) . . 500 00 

Total $5,335.62 

EXPENDITURES. 

Cash expended (as per vouchers) $4,966 26 

Cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1875 369.36 

Total $5,335.62 

The expenditures have been for the items and in the amounts 
named below : — 

For printing Proceedings of last Department Convention . . $132.00 

" inspection expenses 489.63 

" salary of Assistant Quartermaster-General (15 months) . 375.00 

" salary of Assistant Adjutant-General 1,200.00 

" dues to National Headquarters (five quarters) 1,031.47 

" Books, Blanks, etc. (sold to Posts) 334.38 

" Badges (sold to Posts) 525.00 

" office furniture (for Department Headquarters) .... 55.00 

" safe (for Department Headquarters) 85.00 

" interest 11.9G 

" rent and incidental expenses of Department Head(|uait,ers, 
including printing of general and special orders, 

postage, stationery, etc 726.82 

Total $4,966.26 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 221 

Total assets of the Department, Dec. 31, 1875 : — 

Due from Posts for Books, Blanks, etc $ 9.85 

Value of Books, Blanks, etc., on hand 300.64 

Cash on hand 3Gi).36 

Total $679.85 

Total kno-wn liabilities of Department, Dec. 31, 1875: — 

Dne for salaries, rent, and oftice expenses (estimated) . . $175.00 

Due for inspection exjjenses (estimated) 200.00 

Borro-vved money 500.00 

Total $875.00 

Excess of liabilities over assets $195.15 

In my report for the year 1874, the amount due on account 
of inspection was estimated at $275.00, while the amount paid 
and charged in expenditures of the year was S121.()'J in excess of 
the estimate. Tlierefore, in order to make a fair comparison of 
the present financial condition of the Department with that of a 
year ago, this under-estimate of $121. G9 should be added to the 
deficiency of 1874 ($62,54), which would make the showing for 
the two years very nearly the same. This may be but poor con- 
solation ; but when we consider the steady falling off in the amount 
received for dues, we may well congratulate ourselves that the 
deficiency is no greater. I desire to call the special attention of 
comrades who may wish to further compare our present financial 
standing with that of the last or any previous year, to the follow- 
ing facts, viz. : — 

Five quarters' dues to National Headquarters have been paid, 
also fifteen months' salary of Assistant Quartermaster-General ; 
and all bills, except those for service of Assistant Adjutant- 
General and Assistant t^uartermaster-General, and rent and inci- 
dental expenses of Headquarters for the month of December, 
which have not yet been approved by the Council, have been 
paid (the Council at the regular meeting in December having 
authorized the Assistant Quartermaster-General to make a tem- 
porary loan for that purpose). In the item of expense at Head- 
quarters for rent, printing, postage, etc. (amounting to $726.82), 
it should be considered that nearly $200 of the amount should 
properly be charged to last j'ear's account, which would make the 
real expense of Headquarters exceedingly small. 

Believing that this Encampment will give careful attention to 
the financial interests of the Department, this report is respect- 
fully submitted to their consideration. 

W. S. GREENOUGH, 
Assistant Quartermaster- General. 



222 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R, 

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Boston, Jan. 19, 1876. 
To the Meynhers of the Department Encampment in Convention 

Assembled. 
Comrades : 

The Council of Administration elected at the last annual 
meeting respectfully submit the following report. The books of 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General, W. S. Greenough, pre- 
sented for inspection, have been carefully examined and found to 
be systematically and correctly kept. The account shows that 
the Department received from all sources during the present j^ear 
$5,3o5.62 ; Avhile the total expenditures, as per vouchers, have 
been $4,966.26; showing a balance on hand Dec. 31, 1875, of 
$369.36. 

The Council recommend a reduction of expenses at Depart- 
ment Headquarters. 

The Council desire to bear testimony to the very happy 
manner in which the Department Commander has presided over 
the deliberations of the Council at their sessions, and to the 
prompt and satisfactory way in which he has discharged all the 
duties pertaining to his ottice. The Council also wish to place 
upon record their high appreciation of one whose official relations 
close with this administration — who has endeared himself to 
thousands of his comrades, whose inspiring thoughts suggested, 
inspiring words spoken, from time to time during six j^ears of 
service, will ever be held in grateful remembrance. The Council 
refer to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Henry B. Peirce. 

As we are about to begin the second century of our national 
existence, let us, as members of the Department of Massachu- 
setts, as members of the Grand old Army of the Republic, strive 
by all means at our disposal to promote friendly and fraternal 
feeling ; to place in office a continued economical administration 
of the Department, by honest, faithful and capable officers, and 
to make this centennial year the best in the history of our Order. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

HERBERT E. HILL, 
JAMES F. MEECH, 
GEO. S. EVANS, 
JOHN M, C.4TE, 
Council of Administration . 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department Encampment : 

As Inspector for the Department of Massachusetts I have 
the honor to submit the following report. 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAIM I'MENT, 



223 



The following-named Comrades 
sistant Inspectors during the year : — 



George II. Howard, 
AVilliani Spalding, 
Wni. II. Eastman, 
H. Lyman Johnson, 

E. G. W. Cart Wright, 
T. C. Webber, 

T. J. Buffum, 

F, O. Barnes, 
Thomas M. Kenney, 
C. T. Perkins, 

A. G. Forbush, 
Henry Parsons, 
William Emery, 
Wm. L. Robinson, 

E. B. Berry, 
8. F. Searle, 
Geo. R. Hanson, 
H. A. White, 

F. H. INIoore, 
Chas. H. Rust, 
F. W. Merriam, 

W. W. Montgomery, 

F. H. Bieknell, 
J. G. Knight, 
CD. Nash, 

G. M. Skinner, 
E S. Norton, 
A. II. Sproat, 
John Davol, Jr., 
E. \V. Thompson, 
Geo. E. Teele, 

A. J. Bailey, 
J. F. Meech, 
Wm. H. Wade, 



Post 



have been appointed As- 

57, East Cambridge. 
11, Boston. 

34, Salem, 

f), Lynn. 

47, Haverhill. 

42, Lowell. 
139, Somerville. 

3.T, Chelsea. 

7, Boston. 

81, Watertown. 

18, Ashland. 

43, Marlboro. 
22, Milford. 

10, Worcester. 

28, West Boylston. 

24, C4rafton. 

123, Athol. 

131, Leicester. 

Gf), Warren. 

16, Springfield. 

93, Shelburne Falls. 

79, No. Adams. 

58, Weymouth. 
83, Hanover. 

78, So. Abington. 

13, Brockton. 

145, Attleboro. 

3, Taunton. 

4G, Fall River. 

42, Lowell. 

81, Watertown. 

11, Boston. 
10, Worcester. 

145, Attleboro. 



The following named liave resigned during the year : 
C.T.Perkins, Post 81, AVatertown. 



T. C. Webber, 
T. J. Buffum, 
T. M. Kenney, 
J. F. Searle, 
E. S. Norton, 



42, 
139, 
7, 

24, 
145, 



Lowell. 

Somerville. 

Boston. 

Grafton. 

Attleboro. 



The Assistant Inspectors have in most cases attended to 
their duties to my entire satisfaction ; but some, I feel compelled 
to say, have not. Three of the Inspectors resigned at so late a 



224 EARLY HISTORY UEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

day that their places could not be filled, and the Posts in their 
districts have suffered thereby ; five have neglected to inspect one 
Post each, and one inspected but one Post in his district. 

The Inspector for Post 134 reports that he made three at- 
tempts to inspect that Post, but meetings were not held on either 
evening. 

Post 107 is reported as not having held meetings for nine 
months past ; Post 52 as not having met since April last ; and 
Post 119 as not holding meetings. One Post has been inspected 
for the first time in two years, and one that has never before 
been inspected. All the Posts of the Department holding meet- 
ings, excepting eleven, have been inspected during the year. 

NEW POSTS. 

Two Posts have been organized during the year, viz. : — 
Post 20 at Colrain, 
" 31 at Scituate, 
both of which are reported in good working condition. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

By the reports of the inspection of 127 Posts, it appears that 
there were at the date of inspection 7,658 members in good stand- 
ing : Post 10 of Worcester having the largest number, 398; and 
Post 27 of Oxford having but nine members. 

W^ORK IN THE RITUAL. 

Nine Posts are reported as performing the work in the Ritual 
fairly, nine as performing it badly, and I believe from my experi- 
ence in inspecting that hardly any of the Posts performed it cor- 
rectly, notwithstanding the cipher has been forwarded to each Post 
during the year. In one Post, in the absence of the O.D., neither 
the O.G. nor Commander was able to communicate the secret 
work. In two Posts neither the O.D. nor Commander, and in one 
Post no officer or member, could go through the work. 

In twenty-five Posts the officers were neither uniformed nor 
equipped ; in eighteen Posts the officers are reported irregular in 
attendance ; forty-one Posts do not own muskets, and a much 
larger number do not use them as required at the outside guard. 

MUSTER FEE AND TAX. 

In 119 Posts reported, the average amount charged for 
muster-in is S2.85, and the average quarterly tax in 107 Posts 
reported is $1.G9. Thirteen Posts pay regular weekly ])enefits in 
case of sickness; the amount (average) so paid is $3.15. 

RELIEF FUND. 

On the 30th of September, 1875, ninety-.four Posts held relief 
funds, amounting in the agregate to $57,412.78, Post 5 of Lynn 
holding the largest fund of any one Post, amounting to $7,920. 



TENTH ANNUAL KNCAMPMENT. 225 

Three Posts held between three and four thousand dollars, and 
six between one and two thousand dollars each. 

But four Posts comply with Section 4, Article A'lII., 
Chapter II., of the Rules and Regulations, which require "the 
Q.M. to hold the funds of the Post," as in nearly all cases 
the relief funds are held by trustees, and the amounts received 
and expended do not appear upon the Quartermaster's books. I 
recommend that the delegates to the National p:ncampment be 
instructed to prepare an amendment to tlie Rules and Regulations 
for the election of trustees, whose duty it shall be to hold relief 
or other funds of the Posts. 

CHARITY. 

The reports show that 110 Posts nave expended for charity 
during the year ending Sept. 30, 1875, $33,793.18, the largest 
amount — $3,748 — having been disbursed by Post o of Lynn; 
Post 34 of Salem being the next in line, having paid out $3,295. 
One Post reports but fifty cents expended, and eleven have not 
paid any amount in charity during the year. 

PROSPECT. ' 

The prospect for the future is reported as follows : In eighty 
Posts good, in 29 Posts fair, in thirteen very poor. In regard to 
the general condition of the Posts of the Department, I am 
compelled to say that it has not been strengthened the past 
year. From various causes the membeiiship- has fallen off, and 
less interest has been taken in the work of the Order than in 
years past. Not only have members lost their standing by reason 
of the hard times, but many who are able to pay their dues and 
retain their membership have lost their interest and left us. The 
want of care in the selection of Post officers has been one cause 
of trouble in some of our largest Posts. 

The effort that is being made to confer upon the Confederate 
soldiers the same honor that is claimed for and has been bestowed 
upon those who united to suppress tlie Rebellion — which effort 
carried to its logical conclusion would sweep from our laud every 
monument and memorial hall erected to commemorate the deeds 
of the Union soldiers — has, in my opinion, had a tendency to 
weaken our Order. I hope we shall not, by endorsing this effort, 
" weaken loyalty and encourage treason" and thereby prove false 
to the principles of our Order. 

SYSTEM OF INSPECTION. 

The present system of inspection I consider very defective. 
It is very difficult to ODtain competent assistants who will attend 
to tke duty of inspection; uniform instructions are not given, 
and at present hardly two of the Posts perforin the secret work 
alike. 
15 



226 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

I earnestly recommend that some other system be adopted, 
and suggest that the inspections might be made by the Assistant 
Adjutant-General. While under the Rules and Regulations there 
must be an Assistant Adjutant-General and Inspector, yet, in my 
opinion, it would be proper to devolve upon the former otlicer the 
duty of visiting and inspecting the Posts. In this way they would 
be brought into more intimate relations with Headquarters, and 
the exact standing of each Post known more perfectly than under 
the present system. 

I desire to acknowledge my obligation to the Assistant In- 
spectors, and also to the Post otilcers, who by assistance rendered 
and by acts of courtesy have made the duties of my position 
pleasant. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

GEO. E. KELSO, 

Inspector. 

REPORT OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. 

Boston, Jan. 19, 1876. 
Coynmander and Comrades : 

I have the honor to present the following report for the year 
1875: — 

The report of the Medical Director in previous years has 
been a consolidation of the surgeons' reports of the different 
Posts in the Department, giving simply the number of comrades 
who had been disabled by reason of wounds, or otherwise, and 
specifying the character of those injuries. 

On the second of October last. General Orders No. 6 was 
issued from National Headquarters, changing entirely the form of 
the surgeon's report. The amended form requires the following 
data to be fully and accurately stated opposite the name of each 
comrade so entitled to be reported, viz. : — 

Nativity, regiment or vessel, army or navy, serving in when 
wounded, branch of service, age when wounded, number of times 
wounded, date, engagement, part of body injured, result of 
wound, kind of missile. 

This order has been transmitted to every Post in the De- 
partment. 

Fifty-six Posts have reported more or less fully on the new 
Form F ; 48 Posts have reported on the old Form F ; 35 Posts 
have not reported on any form. 

In accordance with instructions from the Surgeon-General, 
the Medical Director is expected to forward to him through this 
Encampment these different surgeon's reports, unconsolidated. 
I am well aware of the great difficulty, and in many instances the 
impossibility, of obtaining the statistics asked for ; but as the old 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 227 

form of surgeon's report has been discarded, and as no other 
form but the new one will be received at the National Encamp- 
ment, I would respectfully recommend that those Posts in this 
Department which have not reported in accordance with the above 
mentioned order should be required to do so not later than the 
15th of April next; so that the Surgeon-General may have ample 
time to consolidate these various reports, which I understand he 
is expected to do before he sul)mits his report to the National 
P^ucampment. "What changes in the form of this report may be 
made hereafter, time alone will reveal; but if the Posts have 
carefully noted in the Descriptive Book the data required at the 
present time, or have kept a copy of the report forwarded on the 
new Form F, the labor to prepare future reports cannot be very 
severe. ' 

There is another suggestion which I think quite important, if 
the iv'w form for surgeon's report is to he retained^ which is, that 
the form of application for admission should be changed so as to 
contain all of the information required in the new Form F, and 
that no application should be received until this blank was accu- 
rately and fully filled out in all the details. My acknowledgments 
are due the Assistant Adjutant-General for valuable assistance 
rendered in preparing this report. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

ALBERT WOOD. 

Medical Director. 



The Judge Advocate, Comrade W. W. Blackmar, submitted 
a verbal report, statiug that it was late in the year when he entered 
upon his duties, and that his predecessor left nothing behind him 
when he departed ; that all matters sul)mitted to him had been 
reported upon, and that the result was on file at Department 
Headquarters. 

He offered a few valuable suggestions concerning courts- 
martial, that frequently proceedings contained no evidence of 
notice having been served upon the accused ; that we could not 
be too careful regarding courts-nu\rtial. The Commander can 
not approve charges punishable by laws of the Commonwealth for 
non-payment of debts, etc. If (irand Army offenses only were 
acted upon, the return of many papers would be prevented; that 
on the whole the couu-ades had behaved so well that his duties 
had been light, and he hoped that his successor would have it 
drawn equally mild. 



228 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The following resolution was offered by Commander Fox of 
Post 68 : — 

Resolved, That tlie address of the Department Commanck'r and the 
reports of the Council of Administration, Assistant Adjutant-General and 
Assistant Quartermaster-General, so far as they relate to the finances of 
the Department, be referred to a committee of seven, with instructions 
to report to this Convention previous to the election of Department 
officers, what measures, if any, can be adopted for reducins: the expenses 
of the Department without injuriously affecting its interests. 

Committee: Commander Fox of Post 68, Junior Vice-Com- 
mander Maxfield, Comrade Sherwin of Post 144, Comrade Bald- 
win of Post 10, Asst. Q.M.-Gen. Greenough, Comrade Simmons 
of Post 15, and Past Department Commander Sibley. 

Commander Sargent of Post 39 extended an invitation on 
behalf of his Post, to the members of the Encampment, to attend 
a levee in the City Hall, given complimentary to them, and 
stated that the comrades of that Post were ready with their 
ladies. 

Voted, That when we adjourn it be to meet at 9 a.m. 
tomorrow. 

Motion, That so much of reports as has not been referred 
to Committee be accepted. 

Amended, That so much of Inspector's report as refers to 
Post 134 be referred to Council of Administration. Comrade 
Babbitt of Post 3 moved previous question. Carried, as was the 
main question. 

At this point. Commander Merrill, on behalf of comrades of 
the Department, presented to the retiring Assistant Adjutant- 
General a beautiful gold watch and chain, which the recipient 
accepted and acknowledged in such words as came to him in the 
moment of utter surprise and overwhelming gratitude. 

Voted, To adjourn. 



THURSDAY, JANUARY 20. 

The Encampment assembled at 9 a.m. 

The roll-call showed a membership of 260. Number of 
Posts represented, 111. 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 229 

Comrade Emery of Post 2G moved to refer that part of 
Commander Merrill's address which refers to the death of Past 
Department Commander Bates to a committee of five. Carried. 

Committee: Comrades p:mery of Post 26, Pickett of Post 
10, Lovell of Post 58, Simmons of Post 15, and Past Department 
Commander Sibley. 

Past Department Commander Underwood moved that a 
committee of three be appointed to report resolutions upon the 
death of Vice-President Wilson. Carried. 

Committee: Past Commander Underwood, and Comrades 
Baldwin of Post 10 and Sherman of Post 39. 

Comrade Fox, Chairman of Committee, submitted the fol- 
lowing report : — 

Lawrknck, Jan. 20, 1S7G. 

The Committee appointed to consider and report npon those portions 
of the address of the Department Commander, and the reports of the 
Assistant Adjutant-General, Assistant Quartermaster-General, and Coun- 
cil of Administration, relating to the finances of the Department, have 
attended to the dutj' assigned them and beg leave to report. 

1 . That they recommend that the printing of the Proceedings of the 
Conventioii be this year dispensed with, which will etfect a saving of at 
least .$150.00. 

2. That the salary of the Assistant Quartermaster-General be 
abolished, and the salary of the Assistant Adjutant-General be fixed at 
$1,300.00: that officer, in addition to the duties of his office, to perform, 
as at present, tlic clerical duties of the Assistant Quartermaster-General, 
by which arrangement a saving of $200.00 will be eftected. 

3. They recommend that the expenses of the Inspector's Depart- 
ment be limited to $200.00, and that said expenses be, if possible, still 
further reduced by the appointment of comrades as inspectors who will 
serve without charge to the Department. 

And your Committee would further suggest that the delegates from 
this Department to the National Encampment be instructed to urge such 
a change in the Rules and Regulations as will alloAV inspecticms to be 
made at any time during the official year, thereby avoiding the absurdity 
of correcting the worls of officers Avhose term of service is about to ex- 
pire, rather tlian those who have just entered upon their i)ositions. 

Report accepted and adopted. 

Comrade Fox of Post OS offered the following resolution, 

which was adopted : — 

Hcsolrnl, That it is expedient that this Department unite as a De- 
partment in the Centennial Paradt; of the Grand Army of the Republic at 
Philadelphia, in June or July next, and that the arrangement of the de- 
tails be left to the Commander and C(mncil of Administration. 



230 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The following resolution was adopted : — 

Whereas, It is understood that the address of the Department 
Commander and the proceedings of this Convention will be printed in the 
Lcmrence American, the Assistant Quartermaster-General is here])y in- 
structed to cause five copies of that paper to be mailed to the Commander 
of each Post at the expense of the Department. 

Comrade Anthony of Post 3 introduced the following propo- 
sition to amend the Rules and Regulations : — 

" To erase the word ' shall ' in Article IV., Section 3, Chap- 
ter V., and insert the word 'may' instead, making the section 
read as follows, ' and may be reported suspended,' instead of 
' shall be,' etc. ; also Section 4 of the same article, making it 
read ' may be dropped,' instead of ' shall be dropped.' " 

Referred to delegates to the next National Encampment, as 
was the following, offered by Comrade Sherwin of Post 144 : — 

Besolvcd, That the delegates from this Department to the National 
Encampment be instructed to offer an amendment to the Rules and Regu- 
lations by Avhich the annual elections of Post officers shall take place at 
the first regular meeting in December, instead of the last. 

The following was offered by Comrade Macy in behalf of 
Post 19 : — 

"That we instruct our delegates to the next National Con- 
vention to bring the following motion before the National En- 
campment : — , 

"To add to Article IV., Chapter I., Rules and Regulations, 
under ' Membership,' Section 2, entitled ' Honorary Membership' : 
' Women who have faithfully served in the liospitals of the United 
States during the late rebellion for a period of not less than six 
months, shall be entitled to have their names enrolled upon the 
roster of the Grand Army of the Republic, and shall be entitled to 
all the privileges accorded to wards of the Grand Army, and in 
^W public meetings and parades of Posts they shall have a place 
of honor assigned them by the Commander in the meeting and in 
the line of march. They shall be balloted for and received as 
honorary members upon their own- application if recommended by 
a comrade in good standing ; and their eligibility shall be passed 
upon by an investigating committee, the same as upon the appli- 
cation of a recruit. A Post may confer the honor upon a lady 
after the unanimous favorable report of the investigating com- 
mittee and a unanimous ballot of the Post, without there having 
been an application filed with the Adjutant of the Post by the 
lady balloted for. There shall be no fee charged and the badge 
of "Honorary Members" shall be hereafter designated by the 
National Encampment.'" 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 231 

Tabled, on motion of Comrade Babbitt of Post 3. Subse- 
quently the following, offered by Past Department Commander 
Underwood, was adopted : — 

"While this Convention does not deem it expedient to 
recommend to the National Encampment the enlargement of our 
membership by adding to it, as honorary members, hosts of loyal 
citizens, who, though not in our ranks in the field, and not 
mustered into the U.S. Army or Navy, rendered valuable service 
in the defense of the nation, both with the armies in the field 
and at home, it is hereby 

" Besolved, That Ave remember with gratitude the cheerful and im- 
portant labors of those patriotic citizens and earnest friends of onrs ia 
sustaining the integrity of tlie nation, especially those warm-liearted and 
loyal Avomen avIio dedicated their lives during the Avar to contribute to 
the comfort of the soldiers in the field, the care of the Avounded, sick, 
and dying defenders of the flag in the hopitals all over the land." 

Commander Bampton of Post '2Q moved to instruct the dele- 
gates to the National Encampment to use their iufiuence to secure 
the following amendment to the Rules and Regulations : — 

"To amend Chapter I., Article VI., Section 1, so as to 
provide for the election in the same manner as officers of Posts, 
of a Treasurer of the Charity Fund, who shall have charge of all 
funds and other property donated for charity purposes." 

Referred to the delegates. 

The Council of Administration, to whom was referred that 
part of tlie Inspector's report alluding to Post 134 reported as 
follows : — 

" The matter relating to the inspection of Post 134 has been 
investigated. The Council has met the Commander and Delegate 
from Post 134, and after listening to statements from them and 
from the Inspector of the Department, both Commander and 
Delegate of said Post express themselves satisfied with the report 
of the Inspector upon hearing his explanation." 

Report accepted. 

Voted, To proceed to election of officers. 

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to receive, 
assort and count votes 

Committee: Comrades Scammell of 22, Earp of 118, Osborne 
of 124, Cook of 127, and Sumner of 132. 

Past Department Connnander moved to reconsider. Carried. 

Comrade SherAvin of Post 144 placed in nomination for Com- 
mander, Comrade Horace Binney Sargent. 

Voted, To proceed to ballot. 



232 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Comrade Emery of Post 26 moved, That a committee of 
twelve be appointed to nominate candidates for Delegates and 
Alternates to National Encampment, and for Council of Admin- 
istration. Carried. 

Committee: Comrades Emery of 26, Flowers of 34, Babbitt 
of 3, Nash of 78, Hill of Council of Administration, Lamb of 10, 
Saunders of 1, Sherwin of 71, Patch of 142, Fox of 68, Coulter 
of 64, Richardson of 42. 

Comrade Hoyt of Post 123 moved to proceed to the election 
of Senior Vice-Commander, and that another committee of five 
be appointed to receive, assort, and count votes. Carried. 

Committee: Comrades Hoyt of 123, Campbell of 50, Puffer 
of 5.5, Prior of 56, and Hastings of 58. 

The result of the ballot for Commander was as follows : — 

Whole number of ballots 253 

Necessary for a choice 127 

Horace Binney Sargent 246 

George S. Merrill " 

J. G. B. Adams 3 

L. D. Sargent 1 

And, on motion of Comrade Adams of Post 5, Comrade 
Horace Binney Sargent's election was made unanimous. 

Comrade Coon of Post 12 moved, That there be a Committee 
of five appointed to receive, assoi't, and count votes for Junior 
Vice-Commander. Carried. 

Committee: Comrades Coon of 12, Young of 36, Philbrick of 
39, Barnes of 43, and Palmer of 46. The names of Comrade 
Herbert E. Hill of Council of Administration, J. McDonough of 
Post 7, and E. B. Macy of Post 19 were placed in nomination. 

The ballot for Senior Vice-Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole, number of ballots 230 

Necessary for choice 116 

J. L. Skinner of Post 36 226 

G. E. Curtis [of Post 73] 2 

G. H. Babbitt of Post 3 1 

J. P. Maxfield, Junior Vice-Commander . . 1 

And Comrade Skinner was declared elected. 

The following, introduced by Comrade Fox of Post 68, was 
adopted : — 

Ba^olved, That in the judgment of this Convention the future in- 
terests of the Grand Army- require the establishment and maintenance of 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 233 

more direct and intimate relations between Department Headquarters and 
the several Posts ; and to this end the Commander and Council are re- 
quested to cause the Department to be divided into as many Districts as 
there are memliers of the Council of Administration, excludinii the Com- 
mander and Assistant Adjutant-General, and tliat a district be assiiined 
to each member, proper regard lieiui; had to location and convenience of 
access, and each be required to visit every Post in liis district at least 
once during his oflicial term. 

Comrade Woodward of Post 103 moved, That a Committee 
be appointed to present the Senior Viee-Commander-eleet to tlie 
Encampment. 

Comrade Woodward and the Junior Vice-Commander ap- 
pointed ; and Comrade Skinner was introduced and addressed the 
comrades. 

The ballot for Junior Vice-Commander resulted as follows : — 

Whole number of ballots 240 

Necessary for a choice • . 121 

Herbert E. Hill of Post 13') ..... 170 

John McDonough " 7 37 

E. B. Macy ^ " 11) 23 

A. O. Kinney " 103 10 

And Comrade Hill was declared elected. 

Comrade Albert Wood of Post 10 was unanimouly re-elected 
Medical Director, but declined serving. 

Comrade Ferren of Post 7') presented the name of Comrade 
AVni. S. Brown of that Post for Medical Director. 

Comrade Patch of Post 142 moved that the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General be instructed to deposit one ballot in the name of 
the Encampment, for Medical Director, upon which shall be 
written tiie name of Comrade Win. S. Brown of Post 75. Carried, 
by unanimous consent, and Comrade Brown was declared elected. 

Comrade J. F. Lovering of Post 81 was elected Chaplain in 
the same manner. 

Conu-ade Fay of Post 43 moved that a committee be ap- 
pointed to escort the Junior Vice-Commander-elect to the platform. 
Carried. 

CommiUee : Comrade Faj' and Comrade Atwood of Post 40. 
Comrade Hill was presented and addressed the Comrades. The fol- 
lowing, offered by Comrade Osborne of Post 124, was adopted : — 

Jteaolved, That the Grand Army of the Republic of Massachusetts 
co-operate with the Adjutant-General of the State in completing the rolls 



234 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



of our volunteers in the late war; and that it is the duty of the various 
Posts of this Department to aid tlie autliorities of their respective towns 
and cities in perfecting the records specified in Chapters 65 and 229 of 
the acts of the year 1863, said acts providing for the preservation of the 
records " of our soldiers and officers." 

Past Department Commander Sibley moved that the next 
Annual Encampment be held in the City of Boston. Referred to 
the Council of Administration. 

The Committee on Resolutions, of which Comrade Emery was 
Chairman, reported as follows : — 

Wherkas, The hand of death lias removed from our midst, since 
our last gathering, one of our beloved Past Commanders, Comrade James 
L. Bates; be it, tlierefore, 

Besolved, That the members of this Encampment of the Grand 
Army of Massachusetts realize how inadequate are any resolutions from 
this l)ody to convey our high sense of his valor and patriotic services as 
a soldier, his spotless integrity as a citizen, and his courtesy and manly 
bearing in all the relations of life. 

Besolved, That we recognize the fact that the Grand Army of the 
Republic is called upon to mourn one of its earliest and most faithful 
friends — a noble-hearted comrade, a genial, chivalrous soldier and gentle- 
man. 

Besolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of our 
Encampment, and a copy be sent to the family of the deceased. 

The resolutions were unanimously adopted by a rising vote. 
The Committee appointed to nominate a list of delegates and 
alternates to the National Encampment reported as follows : — 

DELE(iATE-AT- LARGE. ALTERNATE- AT-LARGE. 

T. Sherwin, Post 144 A. O. Kinney, Post 103 



DELEGATES. 






ALTERNATES. 




J. P. Maxfield, 


Post 


42 


J. S. Baldwin, Post 10 


H. W. Briggs, 




41 


J. W. Locke, ' 


' 12 


M. Burns, 




33 


C. Philbrick, 


' 39 


E. P. Clarke, 




71 


H. H. Brewster, ' 


' 98 


J. F. Dal ton, 




34 


I. F. Kingsbury, ' 


' G2 


Geo. R. Kelso, 




11 


R. T. Nash, 


' 63 


W. F. Draper, 




22 


C. T. Perkins, ' 


' 81 


G. E. Curtis, 




73 


C. F. Allen, 


' 78 


T. Churchill, 




7 


J. McDonough, ' 


' 7 



The report was accepted and the nominees unanimously 
elected. 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



235 



The following comrades were elected members of the Council 
of Administration: James F. Meech of Post 10, Geo. S. Evans 
of Post 30, C. C. Emery of Post 26, J. Silloway, Jr., of Post 94, 
J. M. Gate of Post 12. 

Comrade Underwood, on behalf of the Committee on Resolu- 
tions upon the death of Vice-President Wilson, submitted the 
following, which were adopted by unanimous vote : — 

" Amidst the universal sorrow that pervades the people of this re- 
pnbUc at the death of the late Vice-President of the United States, the 
Hon. Henry Wilson, the members of tliis Convention, as representatives 
of the soldiers and sailors of Massachusetts in the late war, feel that 
we have met with a special and irreparable loss, and deem it a privilege 
to enter upon our records our grateful recognition of his eminent service 
in defense of the nation during the great struggle, and in sustaining the 
hearts of the soldiers and sailors who were fighting its battles. 

" We remember with grateful hearts that he was not only an able, 
honest, and illustrious statesman, was also himself a soldier, and during 
tlie brief period he could spare from his engrossing and important duties 
in the Senate, commander of a gallant Massachusetts regiment; tliat his 
sympathies were always with the defenders of the old flag, and in every 
place — in the Senate of the United States, on the battle-field and in 
every hospUal, and on every ship — he was recognized as the friend of 
the soldiers and sailors; and as long as any of them survive, lils name 
will be held by them in grateful veneration." 

Commander Sargent of Post 39 extended a cordial invitation 
to the comrades to attend a banquet at the close of the session, 
given by the Post. 

Voted, That the members of the Encampment attend in a 

body. 

Voted, That the officers-elect of this Department be re- 
quested to transmit to the officers and members of Post 39 the 
cordial, hearty thanks of this Encampment for their generous 
welcome and unbounded hospitality. 

The oflicers-elect who were present-^ i.e., Senior Vice-Com- 
mander J. L. Skinner, Junior Vice-Commander Herbert E. Hill, 
and the five members of the Council of Administration — were 
installed by Commander Merrill ; and the Encampment adjourned 
at 12.50 P.M. 

At the banquet the folloAving telegram, received from the 
Commander-elect, whose illness prevented him from attending, 
was read : — 



236 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Salem, Mass., Jan. 20, 1876. 
Comrades : 

I ofler my most respectful thanks for the valued honor which you 
have conferred. The fact that it is the spontaneous gift of those to 
whom I am bound by the most patriotic ties that exist among men, com- 
pels my tender and fraternal gratitude. During the term of my com- 
mand I shall bear in mind that while every citizen soldier always, as an 
individual, owes to the State and Nation political duties from which his 
membership of a charitable military order cannot possibly relieve him, 
the reverent memory of our dead, active charity to the living, soldierly 
fidelity to public and private trust, and an unfading love for our mother- 
land, are the broad foundation stones and only politics of the Grand 

Army of the Republic. 

In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT. 

The banquet was a perfect success, as was every effort of 
the Post for the comfort and pleasure of the visiting comrades. 
Comrade Sherman of Post 39 presided ; and after an address of 
welcome by the Post Commander, speeches were made by Senior 
Vice-Commander Skinner, Commander Merrill, Comrade Wm. A. 
Simmons of Post 15, Past Department Commanders Cogswell, 
Sibley, and Underwood, and Comrade J. G. B. Adams of Post 
5 ; and the Hatton Quartette of Lawrence elicited hearty applause 
by their admirable rendering of a number of songs. The singing 
of "Marching through Georgia" closed the banquet and the 
exercises of the Convention. There was but one opinion : the 
Department had never held a more harmonious or satisfactory 
session. 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 
Assistant Adjutant- General . 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMTMENT. 237 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1875. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutaxt-Gexkral's Office, 
No. l!(;s Washington Streft, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, Jan. 22, 1875. 

No. 1. i 

I. Having been elected and dnly installed as Commander of this 
Department for the ensuing year, I herewith assume the duties of the 
office. 

II Comrade Henry B. Peircc is hereby appointed Assistant-Adju- 
tant-General, and -will be obeyed and respected accordingly. Appoint- 
ments of other officers of the Start" will be announced in future orilers. 

III. Tlie office hours of the Assistant Adjutant-General will con- 
tinue the same as heretofore, from ten to twelve, and from two to four, 
except Saturdav afternoons, when the office will be closed. 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Oxncial : Commander. 

Henry B. I'eirce, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headqiarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
.Assistant Ad.iutant-Genekal's Office, 
No. 368 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, Feb. 17, 1875, 

No. 2. ( 

I. The following Comrades are announced upon the Staft" of the 
Commander and will be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 

OFFICIAL STAFF. 

W. S. Greenough of Post 12, Wakefield, Assistant Quartermaster- 
General. 

Geo. R Kelso of Post 11. Charlestown, Inspector. 

H. M. Burleigh of Post 123. Athol, Judge Advocate. 

Wm. G. Sheen of Post 88, Quincy, Chief Mustering (Jdicer. 

I'ERSONAL STAFF. 

E. A. Fiske of I'ost 39, Lawrence, Aide-de-Camp. 

Jolin S. Baldwin of Post 10, Worcester, 

Edwin Earp of Post 5, Lynn, 

J. W. Holmes of Post 10, Springfield, 

E. Geo. Biddle of Post 134, Boston, 

J. W. White of Post 35, Chelsea, " 

W. F. Hutchins of Post U4, Dedham, 

R T. Nash of Post 63, Natick, 

Chas. L. Rice of Post 74, Rockland, '• 



238 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R 

John Davol, Jr., of Post 46, Fall River, Aide-de-Carnp. 

W. T. C. Colt of Post 98, Pittsfield, 

Edwin H. Woods of Post 7, Bostcm, 

J. Warren Cotton of Post 5G, Cambridge, 

Edw. L. Howe of Post 45, Gloucester, " 

Chas. H. Chase of Post 34, Salem, 

J. A. G. Richardson of Post 42, Lowell, " 

Anson Withey of Post 120, Greenfield, 

Geo. W. Rockwood of Post o'J, Sterling, 

II. A list of the officers elected at the annual Encampment of this 
Department at Salem, Jan. 20, 21, appears in the "Roster " which accom- 
panies this order. 

III. All official correspondence will be signed by Post Comman- 
ders and addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERILL, 

Commander. 

Henry B. Peirce, 

Assista7it Adjutant-General. 



Headqitauters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutant-General's Office, 
No. 308 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, May 1, 1875. 

No. 3. j 

The 30th of May this year, falling upon Sunday, in accordance 
with the Rules and liegulations, and in compliance with General Orders 
No. 12 from National Headquarters, Saturday, the 2'Jth iust., will be 
observed as Memorial Day in this Department. 

It is earnestly recommended that Posts endeavor to make broader 
and more general the participation in these patriotic services, and es- 
pecially to awaken the interest and secure the co-operation of all surviv- 
ing sofdicrs and sailors of the late war, not members of our organization. 

The years pass. From our ranks since last we reverently bent over 
the grass-grown mounds of our departed comrades thousands have been 
mustered out to join the invisible host beyond, and in each succeeding 
spring our columns will march Avith lessened tread to the growing circle 
of tlPese voiceless graves, until ere long, when we are all numbered 
among the " silent majority," to other hands must be contided the fulfill- 
ment "of these tender offices, and by other hearts be treasured the 
fragrant memories recalled by the duties and associations of Memorial 
Day. But Avhile we live, be it our duty to cherish, as a solemn in- 
heritance of the nation, the graves and the bereaved ones of our fallen 
comrades. Thus year by year repeating these willing services, we may 
keep warm in our own hearts the sadly-sweet memories of their heroic 
sacrifice, and deepen in the minds of all the people the impressive lesson 
of their valor, that in the distant future of our Republic such memories 
and deeds may awaken a loyalty as fervent as that now being rekindled 
over our broad laud by the recollections of Liberty's Centennial, which 
in a day but just closed summoned uncounted thousands of our people 
to the shrines of those earliest martyrs, upon whose silent mounds rests 
the dust of a century. 

With gratitude to the God of our Fathers, who has so wonderfully 
led and preserved our Nation, let us, with full ranks and overfiowing 
hearts, march again with our departed comrades, repeating the story of 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 239 



their Iieroism, whose never-fading glory comes streaming down the 
already gray and misty slopes of the years gone by ; go to the silent 
encampments where sleep the Nation's dead, there, 

" Around the graves of our heroes kneeling, 
Heaven above, and their dust below, " 

let fall the sympathetic tear, plant anew the tlag they loved so well, 
crown with ijright chaplets their monuments, and cover their mounds 
Avith evergreen and myrtle, entwined Avith fragant blossoms, on which 
the glad sunlight has painted something of eternal purity and beauty, 
wrought by willing fingers into symbols of love and Christian faith. 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquartkks Dept. ok Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
New No. 608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, June 12, 1875. 

No. 4. i 

I. Comrade G. A. Churchill of Post 68, Boston (Dorchester Dis- 
trict), is herel)y announced as Aide-de-Camp upon the Stall" of the Com- 
mander. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

IL The Commander has been requested to ask for information 
concerning the desertion or death of William H. Campbell, who served 
in Co. C, 12th Kegt. Mass. Inf. Vols., and Avho is reported upon the 
records at tlie office of the Adjutant-General of the State as having 
"deserted at Thonmglifare Gaj), Va., Oct. 25, 1863." As many friends 
are of the opinion that he was killed, any definite information from those 
who served Avith him will ])e thankfully received. 

********* 

Bv order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- (roieral. 



;:l 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 

Assistant Adjutant-Genkkal's Office 
New No. 608 Washingpox Street, Room 
General Orders \ Boston, Aug. 6, 1875. 

No. 5. i 

I. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors for the districts named, and Avill be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

District No. 1, Geo. li. Howard, East Cambridge, Posts 11, 15, 23, 
35, 134. 
'<■ " 2, William Spalding, Charlestown, Posts 7, 32, 68, 88, 

113, 125. 
"3, William H, Eastman, Salem, Posts 5, 82, 95, 118, 132. 
" " 4, H. Lvman Johnson, Lynn, Posts 34, 45, 67, 89, 90. 

" " 5, E. G". W. Cartwright, Haverhill, Posts 42, 49, 114, 

122, 151. 



240 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. O^ MASS., G.A.R. 



District No. 6, T. C. Webber, Lowell, Posts 39, 47, 101, 102, 108. 
7, T. J. Bnftum, Soinerville, Posts 4, 12, 3S, 40, 75. 
" 8, F. O. Barnes, Clielsea, Posts 57, 06. 139, 148, 149. 

9, Thomas M. Kenney, Boston, Posts 26, 30, 56, 92, 143. 
" 10, C. T Perkins, Watertown, Posts 29, 62, 81, 119. 
" 11, A. G. Forbush, Ashland, Posts 6, 14, 18, 63, 142. 
'« " 12, Henry Parsons, Marlboro, Posts 9. 43, 86, 96. 

" 13, William Emery, Milford, Posts 22, 105, 117. 
" " 14, Wm. L. Robinson, Worcester, Posts 10, 24, 77, 
135, 136. 
" 15, E. B. Berrv, West Boylston, Posts 28, 54, 59, 64. 
" 16, J. F. Searle, Grafton, Posts 25, 27, 60, 61. 

" 17, Posts 19, 48, 50, 53, 69, 115. 

" 18, Geo. R. Hanson, Athol, Posts 17, 107, 109, 116, 123. 
" 19, H. A. White, Leicester, Posts 37, 38, 51, 131. 
" " 20, F. H. Moore, Warren, Posts 65, 85, 97, 100. 

" 21, Chas. H. Rnst, Sprinaifiekl, Posts 16, 41, 71, 80, 103. 
" 22, F. W. Merriam, Slielburne Falls, Posts 20, 36, 84, 
93, 120. 
" "■ 23, W. W". Montgomery, No. Adams, Posts 79, 98, 126, 

130, 137. 
" " 24, F. H. Bicknell, No. Weymouth, Posts 58, 87, 104. 

" " 25, J. G. Knight. Hanover, Posts 31, 83, 111, 112, 127. 

" " 26, C. I). Nasli, So. A])ingt(m, Posts 13, 74, 76, 124. 

" 27, G. M. Skinner, Brockton, Posts 8, 52, 73, 78, 110. 
" 28, E. S. Horton, Attleboro, Posts 72, 91, 94, 121, 144. 
" " 29, A. H. Sproat, Taunton, Posts 3, 55, 133, 145. 

" " 30, John Davol, Jr., Fall River, Posts 1, 46, 129, 146. 

********* 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henuy B. Peikck, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquakteks Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutant-Genekal's Office, 
New No. 008 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, Oct. 27, 1875. 

No. 6. i 

I. The following-named Comrades are hereby appointed Assistant 
Inspectors for the districts named, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

Sixth District, E. W. Thompson of Lowell, vice Webber, resigned. 
Seventeenth District, J. W. Myrickof Fitchhurg. Twenty-eighth District, 
W. H. Wade of Attleboro, vice Horton resigned. 

II. The orders announcing Mustering Officers Avill be issued early 
in December, and the Chief Avill be governed by the Avishes of Posts in 
their selections, Avhen practicable. Recommendations must be forwarded 
before December 1, in order that sufficient time may be given the install- 
ing officer to prepare himself for the duties. 

********* 

. By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henry B. Peirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



TENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 241 



Hkapqt-auters Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.H., 
Assistant Ai).u;tant-Gi:ni;i:al"s Ofitck, 
New Nu. G08 "Wasiuxctox Sti!Ki:t, Room 7, 
Gkxkral Okdkus \ Boston, Nov. 1, 1875. 

No. 7. J 

Conn-ado W. W. Blackmar of I'ost 113 is hereby Jippoiiitcd Judije 
Advocate, vice Burleiirli, removed [from the State]. He Avill be obeyed 
and respected accordingly. 

Bj' order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
IIexky B. rKiHCE, Coiiimcuider. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R 
AssisTAXT Adjutant-General's Offic 
New No. GOB Wasiiixgton Street, Room 
General Orders | Boston, Nov. 12, 1875. 



LR.,) 

M ( , J 



No. 8. i 



FAITHFUL AND FEARLESS. 



I. It becomes tlio painful duty of the Commander to announce the 
death of Comrade James L. Bates, Commander of Reynolds Post 58, 
AVeymouth, and Past Commander of this Department, winch sad event 
occurred at his home yesterday, at 10 a m. A brave soldier, an exem- 
plary citizen, a Comrade whose interest in the Grand Army never flagged, 
gone to join tlie ranlvs of that army in which his noble life here below so 
lifted him to serve. 

II. Tlie funeral services will take place at the Congregational 
Clun'cli, Soutli Weymouth, on Sunday at two o'clock p.m. under charge 
of Reynolds Post. A special train Avill leave Old Colony Station at 12.45 
\\y\. ; returning, leave South Weymoutli at 5. 150 p.al Department ollicers 
and Start will assemble at the station in uniform, with usual badge of 
mourning upon left arm. 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Hexry B. Pehice, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquai:ters Dept. op IMass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Ad.iutaxt-Generai/s Office, 
New No. 608 Wasiiinoton Street, Room 7, 
General Orders "( Boston, Dee. 15, 1875. 

No. !). i 

I. The following named Comrades are designated as Mustering 
Oflicers, and will install the officers of Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names : — 

S. C. Hart, New Bedford, 1, 146; A. H. Sproat, Taunton, 3, 55; C. 
B. Baldwin, Melrose, 4. 'Jo ; Wm. Emery, Milford, 6, 14, 22 ; J. C. Sullivan, 
Middlel)oro, 8; Henry Parsons, IVIarlboro, 1», 43, 86, 06; J. Pickett, Wor- 
cester, 10, 61 ; J. G.'B. Adams, Lvini, II. 20, 118; G. A. Wheeler, East 
Bridgewater, 13: E. B. Blasland." South Boston, 15, 35, 113, 130; C. H. 
Rust, Spriugtield, 16, 41, 103; Rufus Livenuore, Orange, 17, 123; G. II. 

16 



242 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Patch, South rramiiiffham, IS, 63, 81, 92, U2 ; J. W. Kimball, Fitchburg, 
19, 53, 69, 11 j F. W.'^Merriani, Shclburne Falls, 20, 3(;, 84, !^3, 12U; Geo. 
H. HoAvard, East Caiubriduf, 23, 50, 134; J. F. Sc-arle, Grafton, 24, 25, 
27, 60; C. C. Emery, Boston Highlands, 26, 68, 125; E. B. Berry, West 
Boylston, 28, 54, 51), (;4 ; Herbert E. Hill, 500 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 
30, 34, 143; W. C. Litchfleld, South Scituate, 31, 112; Chas. H. Porter, 
Quincy, 32, 57. 149; J. L. Parker, Woburn. 33, 75, 148; J. W. Biijelow, 
Spencer, 37, 131, 136; A. D. Ward, BroolcHeld, 38, 51, 100; E. W. Thomp- 
son, Lowell, 39, 102, 108; Chas. O. Welch, 116 Tremont St., Boston, 40; 
S. C. Parsons, Lawrence, 42 ; W. A. Stone, Manchester, 45, 67; Jos. 
Harrison, Fall River, 46, 129; Geo. W. Creasey, NeAvbnryport, 47, 101, 
114, 122; Chas. W. Hathawav, Ayer, 48, 50, 115; P. C. Mason, Newbury- 
port, 49, 151; G. M. Skinner,* Campello, 52, 124; J. P. Jordan, Wollaston, 
58, 87, 104; A. B. Underwood, Newton, 62; F. H. Moore, Warren, 65, 85, 
97; Chas. K. Conn, Woburn, 06; E. P.Clark, Holvoke, 71, 80; A. St. 
John Chambre, Franklin, 72, 105, 117; J. W. Sproul, Abington, 74, 78; 
A. S. Byrnes, Plymouth, 76, 111; Geo. H. Kearn, North Adams, 79, 126, 
130; J. R. Merritt, Marblehead, 82; J. G. Knight, Hanover, 83, 127; W. 
H. Eastman, Salem, 89, 90, 132; F. G. Webster, Canton, 91, 94; V. P. 
Parkhurst, East Templeton, 107, 109, 116; J. Walter Bradlee, Blue Hill, 
110; W. H. Wade, Attleboro, 121, 133, 145 ; T. Sherwin, Boston, 144. 
The officers of Posts 7, 73, and 88 will be installed by the Chief Muster- 
ing Officer; those of Post 12 by the Assistant Quartermaster-General, and 
those of Post 5 by tlie Assistant Adjutant-General. 

II. The foregoing arrangement has l)een made in order that the 
service may be rendered without expense to the Department ; Post Com- 
manders will correspond Mitli tlieir respective Mustering Officers at once, 
giving full infonnation as to date of first regular meeting in January, 
place, etc. In case of tlie absence of the comrade designated above for 
any Post, and where no Comrade has been assigned, the Senior Past Post 
Commander present will act. 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henry B. Pkirce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



c 7, J 



Hkadquartkks Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
New No. 608 Washington Street, Room 
General Orders'!^ Boston, Dec. 16, 1875. 

No. 10. ( 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department will be convened in 
Saunders Hall, Lawrence, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1870, at 7 o'clock p.m., 
for tlie election of Department officers and for the transaction of such 
other l)usiness as may come before it. 

Representation : One delegate for every fifty members reported in 
good standing, with one additional for a final fraction of more tlian half 
that numl)er ; but each Post, Avhatever its number, shall be entitled to 
clioose at least one delegate. Post Commanders are members of the 
Encampment by virtue of their office. 

II. Tlie Commander of Post 39 Avill detail an Officer of the Day, an 
Officer of the Guard, and a sufilcient mmdjer of Sentinels for duty 
during the Encampment. The Officer of the Day Avill report to the 
Assistant Adjutant-General at 0.45 p.m. on the 19th prox. for instructions. 

III. Department Headquarters Avill be established at Head(|uarters 
of S.econd Battalion Light Artillery, opposite the post-office ; the Council 
of Administration will meet at that place at 6 o'clock p.m. Wednesday. 



TENTH ANNUAL KNCAMl'MENT. 243 



IV. Post commanders -will be required to forward, before Jan. 10, 
187fi, the adjutant's, quarternuister's and surgeon's reports, toiretlier 
■vvitli all dues, and a list of delegates and alternates to Department 
Encampment, avIio nmst be elected at the last stated meeting in Decem- 
ber (same time and manner as Tost ollicers). 

The ofticers and members of Needham Post No. 30 — Avith Avliich the 
Encampment is to meet — have extended a cordial invitation to the mem- 
bers, and earnestly hope there ■will be a full attendance, and they will 
endeavor to make the visit of the comrades to Lawrence one of entire 
eujoyability. 

Needham Hall, Headiiuarters of Post 39, will be open on Wednesday 
and Thursday, Avliere a reception committee Avill be in attendance, and 
all the comrades are invited to make it their headquarters Avhile in the 
city. 

The sessions of the Encampment Avill be in Saunders Hall, nearly 
opposite Needham Hall; the artillery headcjuarters, kindly prottered for 
meeting of the Council of Administration, is also in an adjacent block. 

At 9 o'clock on Wednesday evening, or immediately upon adjourn- 
ment of the session of the Eucami)ment, the members are invited to a levee 
in the City Hall, which will close Avith dancing; the Quartermaster will 
issue rations from Needham Hall, with which the City Hall is connected. 

The Qommittee have made arrangements Avith the three larger 
hotels for a reduction of rates to those attending the Encampment, 
namely: supper, lodging and breakfast, $1.50 each. The location of 
the hotels and the number of delegates to Avhom they can conveniently 
furnish accommodations, are as foUoAvs : Franklin House, opposite the 
depot, 150; Essex House, corner of Essex and Hampshire Streets, 75; 
Boston Hotel, Essex Street, near the post-office, 50. 

Trains leave Boston for LaAvrence, via Boston & Maine R.R., at 
7.30, 8.30, and 10.15 a.m. ; 12 m. ; 12.30, 3.30, 5.00, 6.00 and G.45 p.m. By 
Boston & Lowell K.R., at 7.45 and 11.00 a m., and 2.15 and 5.45 v.M. 

Leave LaAvrence for Boston, Aia Boston & INIaine R.R., at 6.25, 7.30, 
8.00, and 9.40 a m. ; 12.20, 3.40, 6.30 and 7.C5 p.m. ; by Boston & LoAvell 
R.R., at 7 45 and 11.00 a.m., and 1.15 and 5.00 p.m. 

V. Full information as to entertaiument to be provided, arrival and 
departure of ti'aius, etc., is appended. 

By order of 

GEO. S. MERRILL, 
Henry B. Pkikce, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Department Conimander, 

1876-7-8. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT BOSTON, 



1877. 



JANUARY 17.— P:VENING SESSION. 

Previous to Commander Sargent taking the chair, the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General proceeded to call the roll of members and 
alternates entitled to seats in the Convention, and 208 comrades 
responded ; all the Department officers were present excepting 
Senior Vice-Commander Skinner and Junior Vice-Commander 
Hill. Past Department Commanders Cogswell, Underwood, 
Merrill, and Sibley were present. 

By request of Commander Sargent, prayer was offered by 
Chaplain Lovering. 

On motion of Past Commander Underwood, all comrades 
present, not members of the Encampment, were invited to take 
seats in rear of hall. 

The reading of the records of the previous convention were 
dispensed with. 

The first regular business in order was the Address of Com- 
mander Horace Binney Sargent. 



ADDRESS OF COMMANDER HORACE BINNEY SARGENT. 

Comrades : 

We have reached another mile-stone on our march to the 
Grand Encampment of the loved and lost. The tenth year of our 
military, charitable order has come to an end. To review our 
condition, to deliberate on the duties still before us, and to appoint 
your agents for the coming year, you have assembled in the Annual 
Convention of this Department. 

In returning to your hands the command with which you 
have honored me, I cannot too gratefully or too tenderly express 
my respectful sense of your confidence, your considerate for- 
bearance, your many acts of kindness, and your soldierly support. 

245 



246 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

To know the Grand Army of the Republic as it exists in Massa- 
chusetts, and as a visiting commander learns to know it, is to 
honor and to love all that is tender and brave in the hearts of 
men. While enjoying the hospitality and gayety of your fraternal 
camp-fires, I have never forgotten the solemn facts of your army 
life. Song and jest have hardly veiled the picture of the past — 
your scenes of anguish or of glory, your wounds, your prison 
agonies, your serried columns crowding into death's fiery gates 
ajar. The assurance that I may call ten thousand of such men 
my comrades and my friends is a proud and happy memory. 

To the Council of Administration, and to the officers who 
have been my near associates, especially to the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, James F. Meech of Worcester, and to the energetic 
Department Inspector, Samuel Daltou of Salem, and the efficient 
Assistant Quartermaster-General, Edward T. Eaymond of Wor- 
cester, my earnest commendations and hearty thanks are due. 
On my part, a sincere personal friendship, that will long survive 
this 3^ear of my service, has grown from harmonious association 
with every member of Department Headquarters, Staff and 
Council. 

Some of these gentlemen have always accompanied me in 
the many visits to the Posts, whose hospitality and generous 
civilities have filled my year of office with grateful and delightful 
recollections. 

Not the least touching memory of visits has been the evi- 
dence of interest and sympathy that the citizens, the generous 
men and women of Massachusetts, have exhibited. And I have 
the pleasure of reporting to you that the Hon. Edward Gray of 
Kingston, Mass., as executor of the will of Miss Elizabeth P. 
Sever, recently took the trouble to call upon me to state that this 
most charitable lady had bequeathed the sum of three thousand 
dollars "To a Soldiers' Home to be located in Massachusetts." 
It is to be hoped that soldiers, on every Memorial Day hereafter, 
will tenderly place a chaplet of flowers on the grave where her 
gentle and generous heart is returning to the dust. 

Such acts as hers, in aid of anguished men whom she has 
never seen, go far to shed light on the mystery of suffering. They 
suggest to us that benevolence and gratitude are agents in evolu- 
tion, and develop a holy principle, from which angelic natures 
may draw new, sustaining forces as from a pure fountain-head 
of life. And on earth, loyalty and patriotism are nourished by 
the thought that some sweet woman's dying lips remember a 
soldier's wounds. 

Fuller reports will be made to you by the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, the Assistant Quartermaster-General, the Auditing 
Committee of the Council of Administration, the Department 
Inspector, the Judge Advocate, Medical Director, and Chaplain. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 247 

The pjeneral result may be stated as follows : Number of com- 
rades in good standing, as determined by reports received from 1 19 
Posts and estimated from latest returns of 21 Posts which have 
neglected to send in their final reports, 9,017. 

As the decrease of membership from our highest point, which 
reached the number 11,382 in 1873, was 294 in that year, 547 in 
1874, and 1,146 in 1875, the present number of Posts, which 
appears to be 140, and of comrades, 9,017, as against 139 I'osts 
and 9,395 comrades in 1875-6, may be considered, in the face of 
natural causes of decay and an unprecedented financial depression, 
as eminently satisfactory. When times improve we may reasona- 
bly expect, if we are true to our great work, to receive consid- 
erable accessions to our ranks. 

By reports consolidated up to the date of inspection, 1876, 
it appears that the charity funds of 99 Posts amounted to 
S48,0ol.08, and that the sum expended in charity was $26,207.88. 
The other Posts had no relief funds. 

By the rei)ort of the Assistant (Quartermaster-General, it 
appears that the receipts of the Department Headquarters have 
been, in 1876, $3,614.46, and that the expenses have been, in the 
same time, $3,387.06. 

The known liabilities up to January 1 were in excess of 
assets up to that time $53.15, the excess in the preceding year 
being $195.15. 

Experience has shown the necessity of a small fund, to be 
held l)y the Assistant Adjutant- or Quartermaster-General, to 
avoid the borrowing of a few hundred dollars at the close of the 
year, when the final disbursements are to be made and the final 
returns from Posts have not been received. 

In copying much of our organization from the army we have 
sometimes created machinery or established customs not the best 
suited to our own work. 

The relation of the departments of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General and the Assistant Quartermaster-General, in one particu- 
lar, induces me to make a, suggestion that may be of importance 
in some future appoinluiont of untried men to these offices. By 
our custom, the Assistant Quartermaster-General gives bonds of 
five thousand dollars, to secure the funds in his hands, though all 
these funds are received from the Assistant Adjutant-Cieneral, 
who gives no bonds, although all dues and moneys of the Posts in 
the first place pass through his hands. As the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General is the executive officer of the Department, and 
requires some funds in his hands, it seems to me that the present 
method is circuitous ; and as he may have in his hands a larger 
sum than the (Quartermaster-General, it also seems that the interests 
of the Department may, at some future time, require additional 
protection against loss in the hands of the collecting officer who 



248 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

is for the time as much a treasurer as the Quartermaster. The 
convenience of the Adjutant-General and the protection of the 
Department, in reality as well as in form, make the subject proper 
for your careful consideration ; for we maj^ not always have the 
present faithful incumbent. 

The report of the Department Inspector gives but a small 
idea of the labor performed by himself and his Assistant Inspec- 
tors. But for the great energy and liberality exhibited by this 
gentleman and his subordinates, I think the reduction of the ex- 
penses of inspecting Posts would have proved a mistake. Exact 
and thorough inspection of remote Posts is a necessary stimulant 
to good Grand Army work. The traveling charges of such in- 
spection are no trifling sum. 

By the report of the Medical Director it appears that 1,218 
wounded men are reported from 114 Posts, the other Posts not 
having furnished statements in time for his report to me. 

Among the events of the year, a camp-fire of more than usual 
importance was held in Faneuil Hall. Here, the true lines of our 
action were clearly laid down as a fraternal, charitable, loyal or- 
ganization ; abstaining as an organization from all political dis- 
cussions and partisan nominations, and leaving to our members 
perfect liberty of opinion and action consistent with loyalty to 
one flag and the prosperity of the whole Republic. 

Senior Vice-Commander J. L. Skinner has removed from 
Massachusetts to California. At his request, and in consideration 
of his services, I transmitted to him a cordial letter of recommen- 
dation to that Department of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

The Chn plain of the Department, Rev. J. F. Lovering, and 
Comrade Jacob Sillovvay of the Council of Administration, have 
become officers of the National Encampment. To both of them 
I have been indebted for cordial and able support. 

The present year has been distinguished by two events of 
importance to this Department. The parade at the National 
Encampment in Philadelphia, July 3, 1870, was of eminent in- 
terest; and its success, so far as this State is concerned, was 
largely owing to the soldierly bearing and generous enthusiasm 
of Post 5 of Lynn, J. G. B. Adams, Commander, who appeared 
with an admirable command of 170 men, and gave the use of 
their fine band to Headquarters. Posts 68, 7, and 15, with 
members of other Posts, contributed to the honor of Massachu- 
setts on that occasion, and in spite of the intense heat during a 
very long march, all showed they were soldiers. 

The Department Commander of Massachusetts was assigned 
to the command of New England Departments ; the delegates 
were entertained at a most elegant and sumptuous breakfast in 
Fairmount Park by the Posts of Philadelphia ; and we received 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



249 



many civilities -which reminded us of the tender hospitality which 
the loyal women of that generous city poured forth, through 
all the nights and days of the war, on the legions of the Union. 
On the eleventh of October, 1876, for the first time in our 
history, we had a parade of the Department. Four thousand, 
five hundred men, with many bands, drum corps, and colors, 
moved in column through the hushed and crowded streets of 
Boston. Sympathizing faces of men and women, who remembered 
the anxious days of war, gazed tenderly upon us. Time and 
sickness, anxieties and wounds, had bent many a veteran form 
that they had seen in the glory of hope and youth. But the 
honest pride of duty done was in the veteran hearts ; and you 
swung into the old, measured, but easy, step that the march to a 
hundred battle-fields had taught you. And when, for the first 
time for a dozen years, you stood face to face with each other on 
the broad avenue, and the drum-beat and the bugle-ring waked 
sweet, sad, glorious memories from their grave, you woke the old 
city with the army shout and cheer that made the tears of men 
and women fall like rain. Roar upon roar of your joyous greet- 
ings shook the sky, and the banners over your heads fiuttered 
and waved as if they were fanned by the rush of immortal 
wings. 

Ah! who would not willingly believe that the heroes and 
martyrs of that bitter past had heard your invocation, and 
hovered over the gallant ranks that they knew and loved so well ! 
Gladly would I believe they came ; gathering, gathering from the 
cemeteries, by hill-side, vale, and river, and from the countless 
graves of glory, unmarked by man, and known only to God. 
And why should they not come? The object of your martial 
assemblage in October was grand and holy. It was to remind 
our fellow-citizens that our charitable association existed ; that 
war had brought wounds and suffering; that men who had 
suffered all but death required a home and bread; that virtuous 
women and innocent children, whose natural protectors had died 
that the nation might live, were thrown on the cold, cold world. 
Well might the angels of the dead come to our shouting hosts 
that day in aid of our effort for their beloved. 

The sweet sympathy of the people waited on our march. 
The spaces in our decimated ranks were, to them, filled and 
thronged with the unseen, who had for long years found the new, 
real meaning of those well-worn words of the past, " All quiet on 
the Potomac." And from every mutilated form in our ranks 
there came up an appeal for charity that was not uttered to un- 
feeling hearts. Your march was a silent and grand ovation. 

l1 is for you to consider, comrades, how the object of our 
Department parade shall be best carried out and attained. I ask 



250 EARLY HISTORY I>EPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

your attention to a few reflections in regard to the best methods 
of charity. 

It is recorded of that Augustus Cffisar who was surnamed 
Caligula, that he gave the old gladiators to the tigers and lions 
of the circus, because meat for the beasts was dear, and old 
gladiators were of great expense and little profit to the State. 

To give worn-out veterans as a prey to homeless hunger 
and cold, though the maintenance of these worn-out soldiers may 
cost something to the State, is unworthy of any free common- 
wealth. Least of all do we expect it from that patriotic and 
generous Commonwealth, in whose behalf her Governor, John 
Albion Andrew, in 1861, addressed you: " From the bottom of 
my heart of hearts, as the official representative of Massachusetts, 
I pay to5'ou, soldiers, citizens, and heroes, the homage of my most 
profound gratitude ; and the heart of Massachusefts beats with 
full sympathy to every word I utter. We stay beliind to guard 
the hearthstones you have left, and, whatever may be the future, 
we will protect the wives and children you may leave ; and as 
you will be faithful to the country, so we will be faithful to them." 
Were you and the dead not faithful? 

Death has left those wives and children in many instances 
without protectors. Under a mischievous system of finance, 
which has trifled with our currency and broken faith alternately 
to the creditors and to the debtors of the land, the nation is filled 
with wreck, and many of these hearthstones have been swept away. 
The ability of soldiers to assist each other is -seriously diminished. 
Yet, unless this State and city would become a laughing-stock to 
the world, the living, anguished monuments of patriotism must 
not beg their bread in vain under the shadow of the Old South 
Church. "If thy son ask bread, will ye give him a stone?" 
Would that he could find a shelter under it ! 

A home for disabled soldiers ; some safe refuge for the im- 
poverished widows and orphans, especially the orphaned girls, of 
soldiers dead ; and a central bureau of charity, with a moderate 
power of relieving pressing cases of destitution that apply to 
headquarters for relief. These are the wants that crowd before you. 

With regard to the Home, some considerations touching the 
facts of our history and the genius of our people may be in place. 
A large and constant fund is needed. We are not a military 
nation. The soldier, as such, does not excite enthusiasm as he 
would in a country of large standing armies ; and our comrades 
have not the active sympathy of all the people, because they won 
their anguish and their glory, not in foreign, but in civil war. It 
may, therefore, well be doubted whether — when we reflect that 
republics are proverbially ungrateful, and from their frequent 
change of constituencies and representatives necessarily of short- 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 251 

lived memory — an expensive institution, comparable to thie Hotel 
of the luvalides, could find any permanent niche in our institutions. 
The pomp and circumstance, the popular admiration, the vast 
revenues required, are not easily created or sustained. Even the 
inmates would become restive under a necessary discipline if they 
should feel themselves prisoners rather than heroes. Our In- 
stitution must be truly a Home. 

Yet something must be done. We, soldiers, cannot suffer 
our cloth to be degraded by even a pity for an unhappy comrade 
unless that pity be also respectful. He is above all cold-eyed 
pity. Low as poverty and misery may have simk him, his tri- 
umph in one grand hour of the nation's past has placed him on 
a height of victory ; his inexpressible anguish of wounds and 
torture have lifted him high upon a cross of agony, both of which, 
whether suffering or glorj^, raise him above mere pity. He has 
been a hero. 

It is the duty of every one of us to relieve every case of 
suffering so far as we can; and especially to remove from all un- 
feeling gaze the marked cases of distress and abject despair which 
sometimes meet our eye. 

I therefore recommend that we should endeavor to procure 
at once " a temporary home," w^here any cases requiring imme- 
diate relief or shelter, sustenance or medical care, may be sent 
for present relief. And that, for the support of such a home 
under a proper superintendent, the Posts should create a central 
fund, to be under the control of the Council of Administration, 
subject to the occasional round draft of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, approved by a Committee of the Council and the De- 
partment Commander. The necessity of a small cash account 
for charity is severely felt at Department Headquarters, which 
are pressed by frequent appeals. A system and more centralized 
organization of a part of our charity to relieve distress that can- 
not wait for the action of Posts, often remote, will prevent waste 
and promote the ends of our Order. 

At present the burdens of charity are very unequallj' distrib- 
uted among the Posts. Some Posts exhaust themselves and their 
friends; others have no charity fund. Some Posts have no calls 
of distress ; others are overrun by demands. A centi-al bui-eau 
that knows the needs and the ability of every Post and all our 
calls, would be useful in many ways, and could do nnich more 
good than is done at present. An assessment at the rate of one 
dollar a year upon each member, or at that rate upon Posts, 
would supply an annual central fund of ten thousand dollars, 
which would support a temporary home, relieve many cases of 
distress, and etiualize the load among Posts, some of which are 
in the habit of sending applications from among their own mem- 
bers, to other Posts that have a charity fund. 



252 EARLT HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The long-continued depression has led me to abstain for the 
present from any attempt to procure the requisite funds by sub- 
scription among our fellow-citizens. I have reason to believe 
that if the Department of Massachusetts were incorporated or, 
under acts of incorporation, a Board of Trustees were appointed 
to hold real and personal estate to our use, liberal subscriptions 
and bequests would follow. Their Excellencies, Governor Rice 
and ex-Governor Gaston, have kindly assented to my suggestion 
that they, as representing the best elements of both political 
parties, should be members of such a Board, in aid of our en- 
tirely non-political organization. I earnestly recommend this 
subject to your consideration. Present action is demanded. 

In addition to a temporary home, which I hope may yet 
grow into permanent proportions worthy of a patriotic Common- 
wealth, and cherished by her veteran sons, and to some adequate 
provision for a central fund, by assessments, subscriptions, and 
bequests, for its support and for cases of distress not adequately 
met by the relief funds of Posts, I would also ask you to consider 
the wisdom of providing homes in private families for the objects 
of our charity. A small sum would assist to pay the board of a 
soldier or a soldier's wife and child in families where such a 
presence might be useful. The memory of a life almost sacrificed 
to patriotism, the constant presence of a veteran, scarred with 
wounds, and bearing the medal of our Order, or perhaps some 
reward of heroism on his breast, could not fail to impress the 
young. While he would be peacefully descending to the grave 
amid the tender care of women and children, the future soldiers 
of tlie Republic would have learned from his tales of field and 
flood, not merely how fields were won, but something of the 
spirit that upheld the flag in the darkest days of the Repulilic. 

If we should succeed in establishing a permanent Soldiers' 
Home in Massachusetts, I would suggest that it should be as 
nearly self-supporting as possible, but with the most careful 
avoidance of everything that should make it resemble a work- 
house or reformatory institution. Rules and regulations would, 
of course, be necessary. But it should never be forgotten that 
the inmates are objects of reward and gratitude and veneration. 
Industrial facilities, in and out of the establishment, should be 
afforded. The co-operative system of a division of profits might 
find a field within the walls of the Home. All possible freedom 
of going, staying, and returning should be accorded. The 
purpose never should be forgotten. It is to make the veteran 
happy, and give him, in return for his blood, the comforts of 
life with the least pain or suffering to himself. At the head of it 
must be a Superintendent who loves mankind, and honors courage 
and fidelity wherever he sees it in any race or color. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 253 

To establish such an institution that the veterans of Massa- 
chusetts should own and fondly regard as their Home, supported 
by their charity, glorified by their record, and over which their 
State banner and the Federal fiag of stars and stripes should 
always wave — a Home where every soldier of the Grand Army 
could feel a right of ownership as he would in his club or his inn 
— to establish such a Home as this would give new life to our 
fairs and dramas and camp-fires. Soldiers would swell our ranks 
when we should have a local habitation and a name. The splendid 
palaces built on the Mediterranean shores by the military orders of 
the Knights of Palestine, still attest their brotherhood, their 
heroism, and their power in the past. Surely in all Massachu- 
setts ten thousand men can find, or can make a roof of their own, 
from which a soldier of the Grand Army of the Republic shall not 
be turned, cold, or hungry, or mikcd, or despairing, awaj'. 

In the few minutes that remain I would earnestly impress 
upon you the importance of maintaining all the military forms 
and discipline of our Order. The sloven, the man who so detests 
red tape that no one would ever imagine he had been a soldier, the 
mutineer who saps the foundation of authority by speech or 
through the press, are foes to a camp. They are men who either 
were never well commanded or never commanded well. There is 
nothing more out of place than a man in uniform who is ashamed 
of it, or tries 1o act as if he never had one on. 

And as our Order professes to cherish the associations of our 
army life, which in all good commands made you, by the length 
and severity of j'our experience, regulars, we ought to maintain 
the regulations that we have voluntarily imposed on ourselves. 
Keep intact, jealously preserve the distinction of history, consti- 
tution, and habit between yourselves and other charitable — now 
military — associations. Recollect that wise lips have said, "He 
who despiseth forms, knows not what he despiseth." Choose 
soldierly men to offices that demand soldierly ways. Do not be 
ashamed of being the most soldierly man in your Post. Promptly 
obey all orders. The Adjutant-General's Department is an un- 
meaning form if you delay responses that 3'ou would not delay in 
a camp. Remember that not court-martial, but your honor, 
demands prompt performance of your duty and in proper form. 
We are all bound to each other by exact soldierly bonds, as well 
as by the dearest human ties that exist among men. 

Comi'ades, my work is finished. It is for 3'ou individually 
to carry on our labors. May God prosper you in all your doings ! 
^lay the blessing of all men rest upon you, and the promised 
gratitude of our beloved Commonwealth be shed in a fiood of 
benediction upon you, her " Soldiers, Citizens, and Heroes!" 



254 p:arlv history dept. of mass., g.a.r. 

On motion of Past Commander Sibley, a committee of (7) 
seven was appointed to consider the several recommendations con- 
tained in the address of the Commander, as follows : — 

Comrades Sibley of Post 11, Adams of 5, Lovell of 58, 
Richardson of 42, Silloway of 94, Lamb of 10, Dalton of 34. 



EEPORT OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 17, 1877. 
Commander and Comrades of the Department Encampment: 

I have the honor to submit the following report for the year 
1876: — 

Number of Posts Dec. 31, 1875 139 

" " Members in good standing fourth quarter . 9,395 

" " Posts Dec. 31, 1876 140 

" " Members in good standing fourth quarter, 

1876 8,222 

The following charter has been surrendered during the 
year : — 

Post 100 W. Brookfield. 

Charters have been granted during the year to 

Post 70 Millbury. 

"99 W. Warren. 

Number of members admitted by muster . . . . . 635 

tt " " transfer 90 

tt " " reinstatement . . . 807 

u u lost by death 89 

4 4 *<• " honorable discharge . . . 103 

a " " transfer 152 

u " " dropped from rolls . . . 852 

u u <■<■ dishonorable discharge . . 89 

u 4t " remaining suspended . . 809 

Numlier rejected during the year 16 

Amount disbursed for relief purposes during the year so 

far as reported was $26,207.88 

Number of comrades and families aided 859 

Number of soldiers not members and families of deceased 

soldiers aided 780 

This report is for 119 Posts, 21 Posts having failed to make 
complete returns. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 255 

In closing my report, I desire to return my most sincere 
thanks for the courtesy and hearty co operation extended to me, 
at all times, by the officers of this Department and comrades 
generally. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assista nt Adjutant- General. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL FOR 
THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 187G. 

IJECEIPTS. 

Amount received by Asst. Q.M.-Gon. Greenongh, previous to 

Jan. 31,1876 ' $784.69 

Casii received from Asst. Q.M.-Geu. Grccnoiigh 74.67 

Dues for fourtli quarter. 1875 5.52 

Dues for 1876 2,275.26 

Charter fees, Posts 70 and 99 20.00 

Sale of books and l)lanks 497.37 

Sale of badges 297.39 

Sundries '^ 144.25 

Temporary loan (by vote of Council) 300.00 

Total receipts $4,399.15 

EXPr-XDITlRES. 

Amount expended by Asst. Q.M.-Gen. Greenongh previous to 

Jan. 31, 1876 $784.69 

Cash expended as per books and vouchers since Jan. 3, 1876 . 3,387.06 

Cash on hand 227.40 

Total $4,399.15 

ASSETS OF THE DEPARTMENT. 

Due from Posts for books, blanks and badges (estimated) . . $300.00 

Value of books and blanks on hand 169.25 

Casli on hand 227.40 

Total 696.65 

TOTAL KNOWN LIABILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. 

Due for salary, rent of office and office expenses (estimated), $150.00 

Due for Inspector's expenses 133.00 

printing 22.00 

" National Ileadcpiarters, dues for third and fourth 

quarters, 1876 369.80 

Due for National IIeadi(uarters, books, blanks and badges, 

(estimated) 75.00 

Total $749 80 

Assets 696.65 

Excess of liability over assets $53.15 



256 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

In submitting this report I would most respectfully call your 
attention to the relation existing between the Assistant Adjutant- 
General's and Assistant Quartermaster-General's departments. 

By a vote of the Convention the clerical duties of the 
Assistant Quartermaster-General devolve upon the Assistant 
Adjutant-General. All money is received by the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, and many of the bills paid by him. The duty of 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General is simply to be responsible 
for all money received by the Department, although he personally 
may never see or receive any of it. 

I would recommend that the Assistant Adjutant-General be 
made Assistant Quartermaster-General, and placed under bonds 
as now required of the Assistant Quartermaster-General. 

The lack of promptness on the part of some of the Posts in 
paying money due the Department is a serious hindrance to the 
transaction of the business. The returns required from the De- 
partment by National Headquarters are delayed two or thi'ee 
quarters, and it has become necessary for the Department to 
borrow money in order to carry on business. 

E. T. RAYMOND, 
Assistant Quartermaster-General. 



REPORT OF COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. ' 

Boston, Jan. 17, 1877. 
To the Members of the Department Encampment in Convention 
Assembled. 
Comrades : 

The members of the Council of Administration have examined 
the accounts of the (Quartermaster-General and find them in all 
respects correct. 

We find the total receipts from all sources for the year 1876 

have been $4,399 15 

The expenditures have been 4,117 75 

Cash on hand this date 227 40 

It has been the custom for the past few years, during the 
close of the term, for the Quartermaster-General to borrow a 
small sum of money in order to pay all outstanding "Bills" 
against the Department, so that the reports can be presented Avith- 
out going into details on small items. 

The Council, though compelled to adopt this course this year, 
heartily disapprove of it, and would earnestly recommend that 
this Convention adopt some method by which Posts will be com- 
pelled to make all returns, with their per capita tax, on or before 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 257 

the 10th day of January of the succeeding year. By this means 
the Department will be enabled to meet all of its indebtedness, 
and the work of the Assistant Adjutant-General and Assistant 
C^uartermaster-General greatly simplified. 

The Council cannot close its duties without expressing its 
kindest regards and its highest appreciation of the valuable ser- 
vices rendered this Department by our retiring comrade, Horace 
Binney Sargent. 

The Department is also to be congratulated upon having 
secured the services of one so well qualified both by disposition 
and ability as the Assistant Adjutant-General James F. Meech, 
to fill that arduous and responsible position. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

Geo. S. Evans, 
John M. Gate, 
John G. B. Adams, 

J. SiLLOWAY, Jr., 

C. C. Emery, 
Council of Administration. 

It was voted, on motion of Comrade Fox, Post 68, That when 
this Convention adjourn it be to meet at 10 o'clock a.m., 
Thursday. 

DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR'S REPORT. 

Boston, Jan. 16, 1877. 

James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant- General 
In compliance with Section 1, Arti'cle V., By-laws of Grand 
Army of the Republic, I have the honor to submit my consoli- 
dated report of inspection of the Posts in this Department, also a 
duplicate copy with letter to be forwarded to the Inspector-General 
of the National Encampment. 

In nominating comrades for Assistant Inspectors I selected 
Posts, as far as possil)le, which have never had one of their 
number in that position, and asked the Coumiander to recommend 
some comrade for nomination. In every case I have been satisfied, 
and heartily thank my assistants for the prompt and efficient 
manner iu which thev have fulfilled their duties. 

The following ^Assistant Inspectors have been appoin^-d 
during the year : — 

H. A. Wright, Post 26, Highlands. 

W. A. West, " 23, E. Boston. 

J. W. Hart, " 34, Salem. 

W. S. Baird, " 5, Lynn. 

17 



258 



EAllLY HISTOKY 


1>EPT. OF 


MASS 


., G.A.R. 


D. Johnson, Jr., 


Post 


39, 


Lawrence. 


S. C. Parsons, 




39, 


Lawrence. 


T. Talbot, 




49, 


Newbur3^port. 


G. E. Filkins, 




15, 


Boston. 


M. C. Beadle, 




56, 


Cambridge. 


A. P. Barrett, 




33, 


Woburn. 


J. P. Houghton, 




62, 


Newton. 


J. F. Makee, 




62, 


Newton. 


W. H. Brown, 




6, 


Holliston. 


J. F. Dolan, 




9, 


Hudson. 


D. A. Partridge, 




105, 


W. Medway. 


W. W. Scott, 




10, 


Worcester. 


A. S. Davidson, 




64, 


Clinton. 


E. P. Morton, 




61, 


Webster. 


J. H. Iletherington, 




61, 


Webster. 


J. PhiUips, 




19, 


Fitchburg. 


J. W. Wallace, 




109, 


E. Templeton. 


V. P. Parkhurst, 




109, 


E. Templeton 


G. P. Ladd, 




3T, 


Spencer. 


A. Warburton, 




85, 


Ware. 


H. H. Underwood, 




103, 


Chicopee. 


CM. Moody, 




120, 


Greenfield. 


A. Bassett, 




98, 


Pittsfield. 


W. H. Dunville, 




79, 


N. Adams. 


W. L. Gage, 




87, 


Braintree. 


A. C. Sampson, 




111, 


Pembroke. 


J. H. Whelan, 




58, 


E. Weymouth 


A. St. John Chambre 




72, 


Stoughton. 


F. Thayer, 




55, 


Taunton. 


H. C. Alden, 




110, 


Randolph. 


J. Silloway, Jr., 




94, 


Canton. 


W. Sanders, 




1, 


New Bedford. 



Each Post in the Department which holds meetings has been 



nspecting weak Posts 
them a helping hand, 
tion. 



inspected, and I think thoroughly ; and by 
early in the year we have been able to lend 

A few Posts are reported in poor cond 

I would recommend that something be done to revive these 
Posts, or the surrender of their charters be requested. 

NEW POSTS. 

Two have been organized during the past year: Post 70, 
Millbury, Post 99, ^Y. Warren, and are reported in good con- 
dition and improving. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

One hundred and thirty-four Posts reported at date of in- 
spection 9,300 members in good standing: Post 10 being the 



ELEVENTI£ ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 259 

largest, having 398 members ; Post 34 the next, having 333 
members; Posts 42, 39, 5, 35, being next in order. The In- 
spector's report of last year gave 127 Posts — 7,G58 members. 

RrruAL. 

Ninety-nine Posts were reported as performing it properly, 
fourteen Posts as fairly, twenty-one Posts as poorly. In my 
opinion the Ritual has been better performed the past year than 
heretofore. 

The officers of a few Posts are reported as not regular in 
attendance. Such Posts cannot perform the Kitual properly, and 
should demand of their officers proper attention to their duties. 
In 134 Posts the average amount charged for " muster-in " is 
$2.59, and for quarterly dues 75 cents. 

RELIEF FUND. 

On the date of inspection, 99 Posts held relief funds amount- 
ing to $48,031.08, Post 5 being the largest, having $6,600. 
The relief funds are smaller at this time than later in the season, 
as the Posts will soon give entertainments, fairs, etc., which will 
increase the amount. 

CHARITY. 

One hundred and fifteen Posts have expended in charity for 
the year ending Sept. 30, 187G, $26,207.88. Seventeen Posts 
were reported as expending nothing, and two Posts were reported 
as keeping no record of money expended in charity. 

PROSPECT. 

Eighty-seven Posts are reported in good condition, thirty of 
them as most excellent. Thirty Posts are reported in fair con- 
dition, and seventeen Posts in poor condition. 

The Order, in my opinion, is in much better condition than 
one year since, more interest being shown, and the prospect for 
the ensuing year being excellent. 

I will suggest to Post Commanders the propriety of placing 
on file orders as soon as received, as 121 are reported missing 
and have been supplied for the second time from Headquarters. 
Also the importance of keeping the black lists written up in full, 
including all rejections by other Posts ; as I find several Posts 
keep only a record of their own rejections. 

In conclusion 1 desire to acknowledge my obligations for the 
many courtesies received from the Commander and Department 
officers. Assistant Inspectors, and Post Conmianders, which have 
lightened the duties of my office and rendered them pleasant. 
Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

SAMUEL DALTON. 
Inspector Department of Mcifisarhu setts, G.A.R. 



260 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 

Boston, Jan. 17, 1877. 
Commander and Comrades: 

I have the honor to present the following report of the 
Medical Department for the year 1S76. 

One hundred and fourteen (114) Posts have sent in reports. 
The total number reported as wounded in these Posts is one thou- 
sand two hundred and eighteen (1218). That is, more than nine 
per cent connected with our organization have been w^ounded in 
battle, a fact which shows that the Grand Army organization is 
not wholly made up of " bummers," as some folks have charitably 
hinted. 

The late period at which these reports were received places 
it out of my power to make a detailed report to the Convention ; 
but so far as I have examined them, they seem to have been 
made up with due care and painstaking, and at the earliest 
possible time I will furnish a full abstract to the Surgeon- 
General. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

W. SYMINGTON BROWN, M.D., 

Medical Director Dejjartmeiit of 3Iassachusetts, G.A.R. 



Chaplain Lovering surprised the Convention l)y making a 
report ("furnishing his own blanks"). The following is a 
copy : — 

Comrades : 

I have the honor to submit the following for the year ending 
this day : — 

It has not been customary for the Chaplain of this Depart- 
ment to offer any report to the annual Convention. No blanks, 
as far as I have been able to ascertain, have been furnished by 
National Headquarters prescribing the method of any such report, 
nor has this Department been authorized by National Head- 
quarters to forward to the Chaplains of Posts within its jurisdic- 
tion any instructions by which reports must be forwarded to 
Department Headquarters and there be consolidated. Such over- 
sight or negligence deserves attention ; for there is certain infor- 
mation that it is desirable to obtain, and which may hereafter 
prove of interest and importance to members of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. 

During the past year I have attended eighteen gatherings of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, including three installations. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAT- ENCAMPMENT. 



261 



twelve camp-fires, an invitation to Department of New Hamp- 
shire, anotlier to tlie Soldiers' Encampment at Portland, Me., and 
the grand parade of this Department. I have also delivered 
three memorial addresses — one at Brighton, May 28, one at 
Worcester.on the afternoon of May 30, and one at Marlboro on 
the evening of May 30. 

So far as such occasions have given me any opportunity to 
gain any familiarity with the character and spirit of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, I am able to state : — 

First. That the Grand Army of the Republic is eminently 
social: there seems to be no lack, in the large majority of in- 
stances, of esprit de corps. The old camp songs still have the 
roll of the drum and the sound of the bugle in them. The old 
cami) stories, thouiih sometimes tinged with sad memories of the 
heroic dead whose^iames, blotted with tears l)elow, are written on 
the roster of heaven in letters of fadeless light, have ringmg 
throuoh them the merry laugh that once enlivened the fatigue of 
the niarch or the monotony of the camp ; while, if the old Casey 
tactics have been forgotten, the ability to eat a full ration, to 
drink coffee, and to pull at a pipe, remains unimpaired. 

Second. The morals of the Grand Army of the Repul)lic are 
just about what might be expected, ranging all the way ^^oxn^n 
ordinary dead gauge up to what is extraordinarily good. Ihe 
last statement is based on a careful consideration of testimony 
which niioht lie furnished by the Department Inspector and his 
able corps of assistants : the substance of such testimony being, 
that there are some good folks in bad company, and some bad 
folks in good company. 

Third. The Department is ihorowghX^ .patriot ic. 
The memory of hardships endured, of perils braved, of 
gallant service performed, strengthens in every one a soldierly 
devotion to justice and right everywhere, and to the highest in- 
terests of the nation as it is founded on justice and right. Ihe 
undyincT affection entertained for those whose graves are as altars 
deepens every year not only a profound sense of the priceless 
sacrifice by which the Union has been preserved, but also a reso- 
lution never to suffer their altars to be dishonored. 1 his patriotism 
makes loyalty both a duty and an inspiration. It loves the country. 
It respects anid guards the rights of the citizen. It reYrences the 
country's fliig. Let the Grand Army of the Republic hold to this 
character which it now possesses, and improve upon it, and there 
can be no doubt it shall continue to receive what it has in the 
past — the right to claim the goodwill, and gratitude, and respect 
of every true citizen of this American Republic. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, ^,,^„,xrf^ 

J. F. LOVMllNU, 
Chaplain Depanment of Mass., G.A.R. 



262 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

It was moved by Comrade Maxfield, Post 42, That a committee 
of ten be appointed to nominate a list of candidates for members 
of the Council of Administration, also delegates and alternates to 
National Encampment. 

Appointed by the Chair as follows : Comrades Maxfield of 
Post 42, Eastman of 34, Scammel of 22, Fay of 43, Gleason of 
63, Bigelow of 37, Frankle of 47, Babbitt of 10, Knight of 16, 
Cutler of 49. 

Comrade Adams of Post 5 moved. That the delegates as 
reported by Post 5 be admitted to seats and representation in this 
Convention. Carried, and delegates were admitted. 

Comrade McDonough of Post 7 moved, That the delegation 
from Post 7 have representation in this Convention. Objection 
being made, discussion followed relative as to which quarterly 
report Posts shall base their representation to Department Con- 
vention upon. 

Comrade Rich of Post 26 offered the following motion : That 
the basis of representation to the Encampment shall be determined 
by the report for the quarter ending September 30. Carried. 

Past Department Commandei' Underwood moved, That a 
committee of five be appointed, as a qualification committee, to 
hear the case of the twenty-one Posts excluded from the Conven- 
tion. Amendment offered by Comrade Maxfield of Post 42, which 
was accepted. That the Council of Administration constitute that 
committee. Carried. 

On motion of Comrade Dalton of Post 34. adjourned till 10 
o'clock Thursday a.m. 

THURSDAY, JAN. 18, 1877. 
The Encampment assembled at 10 o'clock a.m. The roll of 
delegates was called. Praj^er was offered by Chaplain Lovering, 
The Council of Administration, to whom was referred the cases 
of twenty-one Posts who had been deprived of representation in the 
Convention, offered the following report : That they had attended 
to that duty, and would respectfully report, that in the case of 
Post 60 the only informality was in making out the Surgeon's 
report on the old Form F, instead of the new. The delegate of 
this Post promises that the proper form will be made out, and we 
would recommend the admission of the delegate from Post 60. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 263 

Posts 134 and 139 have made their returns, and the Assistant 
Adjutant-General has placed their names on the rolls. The 
report was accepted and recommendation adopted. 

The committee who were instructed to consider the several 
recommendations contained in the address of the Commander and 
report thereon, submitted the following report: — 

Boston, Jan. 18, 1877. 
To the Commander : 

The Committee who were instructed to consider the several recom- 
mendations contained in the address of the Commander, and to report 
thereon, respectfully beg leave to report. 

I. In regard to the establishment of a Soldiers' Home, your Com- 
mittee agree that such an institution, if properly endowed and rightly 
conducted, would be of vast advantage to the disabled veterans of the 
Commonwealth, and credit to the patriotic and benevolent persons who 
would create and sustain it. While thus indorsing the general idea of 
such an institution and congratulating the Encampment upon the fact 
that the sum of $3,000 has already been bequeathed for the purpose, 
your Committee find that a due consideration of such questions as the 
expediency of making appeals for funds in the present depressed state 
of business, the extent to which the Posts (already heavily drained by 
the local demands upon their means) should be called upon to carry on 
this work, whether or not the aid of the State shall be solicited, or 
accepted if tendered, and an inquiry into the course pursued in this 
direction by our comrades in other States, where homes ^ave been 
established or contemplated, cannot be given by this Committee in the 
very limited time at their command ; they therefore recommend that this 
Encampment commit the subject of establishing a Soldiers' Home to 
a special committee of seven, who shall consider the subject and report 
at their earliest convenience to the Council of Administration, Avho 
shall have full powers to carry out recommendations of the Committee 
at their discretion. 

II. The Committee approve the suggestions of the Commander, 
that steps be taken to secure from the State an act of incorporation for 
the Department organization; to that end the Commander be authorized 
to adopt such measures as he may think proper to obtain such an act. 

III. Inasmuch as the Rules and Regulations (always made by the 
National Encampment) deal with the subject of sureties l)y the Depart- 
ment StalT odlcers, the Committee believe the Department ongiit not to 
make provision for that purpose. We, therefore, advise that no action 
be taken upon the recommendation that bonds be required of the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General. 

IV. The Committee believe that a fund at Headquarters for relief 
purposes would be very convenient in relieving the temporary distress of 
soldiers ; but in the limited time at the disposition of the Committee, no 



264 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

plan has been suggested for raising any sum for the purpose ; and they, 
therefore, recommend that the subject be referred to the Council of 
Administration with full powers. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Henry R. Sibley, 
Jacob Silloway, Jr., 
John G. B. Adams, 
John A. G. Richardson, 
J. Frank Dalton, 
J. B. Lamb, " 

B. S. LOVELL, 

Committee. 

Comrade Fox, Post 68, moved. That the report of the Com- 
mittee be accepted and laid on the table. Carried. 

It was moved and seconded that we proceed to the election 
of Department Commander for the ensuing year. Carried. 

Comrade Bailey, Post 1 1 , moved the re-election of the present 
Commander, and that the Assistant Adjutant-General be instructed 
to cast one ballot for Horace Binney Sargent for Commander of 
this Department for the ensuing year. 

Motion by Comrade Atwood, Post 40, That a committee of 
five be appointed to receive, assort, and count ballots for Depart- 
ment Commander. Comrades Atwood of Post 40, Potter of 86, 
Corcoran of 56, Morton of 61, and Fellows of 35, were appointed. 

By Comrade Fox, Post 68, That a committee of five be 
appointed to receive, assort, and count ballots for Senior Vice- 
Commander. Past Department Commander Cogswell moved the 
nomination of Comrade Geo. S. Evans for Senior Vice-Com- 
mander, seconded by Past Department Commander Underwood. 
Amendment offered by Comrade Maxfield, Post 42, That the 
Assistant Adjutant-General cast one ballot for Geo. S. Evans 
for Senior Vice-Commander. Comrade Hinds, Post 15, object- 
ing to the method of election, the following committee were 
appointed : Comrades Fox of Post 68, Kinnear of 30, Emery 
of 26, Sloan of 37, Gleason of 77. 

By Comrade Churchill, Post 10, That a committee of five be 
appointed to collect, assort, and count votes for Junior Vice-Com- 
mander, Comrades Churchill of Post 10, Locke of 12, Simpson of 
142, Kelly of 15, and Rust of 16, were appointed. 

The committee appointed to collect, assort, and count votes 
for Commander reported : — 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 2G5 

Whole number of votes oast 218 

Necessary for a choice IIU 

Comrade Richardson, Post 42 2 

" Hill, "139 2 

" Cogswell, "34 3 

" Simmons, "15 3 

" Green, " 7 

" Sargent, "15 203 

And Horace Binney Sargent was declared elected. 

Commander Sargent was then introduced, and addressed the 
Convention, expressing his thanks for the high honor conferred, 
and signified his acceptance of the office of Commander of the 
Department of Massachusetts for the ensuing year. 

The ballot for Senior Vice-Commander resulted as fol- 
lows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 215 

Necessary for a choice 108 

Comrade Barnes, Post 35 1 

" Butts, 1 

" Dalton, " 34 1 

" Pickering, 1 

" Hill, ^ " 139 4 

Evans, " 30 207 

And George S. Evans was declared elected. 

Past Department Commander Sibley called for report of 
committee appointed to bring in a list of candidates for Council 
of Administration and delegates and alternates to National 
Encampment. Laid on table. 

The ballot for Junior Vice-Commander resulted as fol- 
lows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 213 

Necessary for a choice 107 

Comrade Barnes, Post 35 1 

Hill, "139 1 

" Patch, "142 211 

And George H. Patch was declared elected. 

Conu'ade Fox of Post 68 moved, That the Assistant (Vdju- 
tant-General cast one ballot for Conu'ade W. S. Brown, of Post 
75, for Medical Director; and in accordance,, the Assistant 
Adjutant-General cast one ballot, and Comrade Brown was 
declared elected. 



266 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

By Comrade Emery of Post 26, That the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General deposit one ballot for J. F. Lovering of Post 81, 
for Chaplain. The ballot was cast, and Comrade Lovering was 
elected Chaplain. 

The report of committee on nomination of candidates for 
Council of Administration and delegates and alternates to 
National Encampment, was taken from the table. Comrade 
Barnes of Post 35 called for a reading of the list of delegates 
and alternates. Granted, as follows : — 



DELEGATk-AT-LARGE. 






ALTERNATE-AT-LARGE. 




H. B. Peirce, 


Post 


73 


W. H 


. Dunville, 


Post 


79 


DELEGATES. 








ALTERNATES. 






J. A. G. Richardson, 


Post 


42 


G. C. 


Fiske, 


Post 


18 


Emerson Stone, 




37 


F. L. 


Harmon, 




99 


J. B. Lamb, 




10 


W. F 


. Hutchins, 




144 


Arthur M. Holt, 




39 


F. 0. 


Barnes, 




35 


D. 0. Judd, 




16 


G. V. 


Bangs, 




103 


E. T. Colby, 




49 


E. A. 


Stone, 




56 


J. S. Fay, 




43 


J. F. 


Searle, 




24 


Wm. Watts, 




3 


H. P. 


A\^oodbury, 




89 


Geo. H. Hoyt, 




123 


Geo. 


E. Burgess, 




9 



Comrade Sibley, Post 11, moved, That we proceed to the 
election of members of Council of Administration, and that they 
be acted upon one by one. Discussion followed, and Comrade 
Butler, Post 7, moved they be elected by acclamation. Objection 
made and further discussion followed. Comrade Bailey, Post 11, 
then moved, That we proceed to ballot for the five members on 
one ballot. Motion lost. 

Offered by Comrade Maxfield, Post 42, That a committee of 
five be appointed to receive and count ballots for the above ; 
and the following-named comrades were appointed : Maxfield 
of 42, Bailey of 11, McLaughlin of 40, Robinson of 10, Crane 
of 22. 

The report of the Committee on the P^lection of Council of 
Administration reported : — 

Whole number of votes cast 115 

58 



Necessary 
Comradi 


for a choice 






e Emery, 


Post 2G 


. Ill 


(( 


Adams, 


" 5 


. 110 


i, i 


John McKay, Jr. 


, " 7 


. 110 


u 


Cartwright, 


" 47 


. 93 


u 


Wilcox, 


" 22 


. 109 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 207 

At 12.30 o'clock the Convention adjourned for half an hour, 
and the delegates were entertained with a substantial collation, 
provided by the Posts of Boston and vicinity. 

The report of counnittee to whom was referred the Com- 
mander's address was taken from the table. 

Comrade Bailey, Post 11, moved, That the report of the com- 
mittee be referred to the Council of Administration, with full 
powers. 

Past Department Commander Sibley discussed the matter at 
length. In the course of debate, Commander Sar<>ent took the 
floor and spoke in a forcible manner, and heartily indorsed the 
motion of Comrade Baile3\ 

Comrade Simmons, Post 15, followed in earnest remarks, 
and believed there was no better man in the Commonwealth to 
carry out the project of establishing a Soldiers' Home than Com- 
rade Sargent. Past Department Commanders Cogswell, Under- 
wood, and Comrade Fox warmly sustained Commander Sargent 
in his project, and advocated the calling of another Convention 
next summer. The motion of Comrade Bailey was then put and 
carried, and the matter was referred. 

Comrade Cogswell hoped that the matter j-elative to the call- 
ing of a Convention diu-ing the summer would be well considered 
by the Council, and report in July. 

On motion the Assistant Adjutant-General was instructed to 
cast one ballot for the list of delegates and alternates. Carried. 

By Comrade Fay, Post 7, That the thanks of this Convention 
be extended to the retiring oflicers of this Department. Carried. 

Comrade Sibley, Post 11, offered the following motion : That 
thei-e be a session in July of this year of this Department. 

Amended by Comrade Patch, Post 142, that the date of 
meeting be left to the discretion of Council of Administration. 

The following was offered, as the sense of this Convention : 
That there be a semi-annual session of this Encampment held 
during the con.ing summer, at such time and place as the Com- 
mander, with the consent of the Council of Administration, mav 
determine. The question was called for and the motion carried. 

By Comrade Emery, Post 2G, That we proceed to the instal- 
lation of the officers-elect. 



268 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. 0^^ MASS., G.A.R. 

Past Department Commander Cogswell proceeded with the 
installation of the officers-elect in their respective offices. 

A motion by Comrade Adams, Post 5, That a vote of thanks 
be extended to the officer of the day and the officer of the guard, 
and the delegation of Post 15, for the voluntary services they so 
satisfactorily performed, was carried. Proposition for a State 
Encampment was laid on the table, and the Convention voted 
to adjourn. 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 2G9 



GENERAL ORDERS. 
Series of 1876. 



::1 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Ad.ti'tant-Genekal's Ofkice, 
G08 Washixuton Street, Koom 7, 
General Orders) Boston, Jan. 2(J, 1876. 

No. 1. ) 

I. Having been duly elected and installed as Commander of this 
Department for tlie ensuing year, I hereby assume the duties of my 
office and greet with soldierly affection and respect my old companions 
in arms. 

Ci-imrades : With a grateful heart I thanlc you for the unanimity 
with which you liave conferred a cherished honor on me and on John A. 
Andrew Post, to whicli I belong. With your assistance, I hope tliat this 
year our National Jubilee will make more and more conspicuous l)()th 
your claims upon the nation and your moral power as the Grand Army 
of the living Republic. 

Comrades: It is our duty to enlist the pride of every soldier of 
Massachusetts and recruit our ranks. Let every one of us convince 
some veteran, not now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
that the mass and dignity of our association add to the weight of the 
whole veteran clement in society. An asylum for the needy, the Grand 
Army of the llei)ul)lic is also a fortress against the forgetfulness or 
inditierenee of the world. Let us strengthen this fortress by gathering 
into our ranks every brave veteran — ^all the character, intellect, and dis- 
tinction that we may. It is a duty to prove, not only that our hearts 
were dauntless and true, but also, that all the brains of the nation did 
not stay at home. 

Comrades: Never forgetting that the great object of our Order is 
charity, Ave must never forget that the extent of our charities depends 
largely on the imposing front that we show in our grand march of true 
soldierly brotherhood — lielping the weak, raising the fallen, succoring 
the needy families of our tentmates dead, binding up the despondent 
soldier's breaking heart, and maintaining our motherland in the eternal 
possession of every right that, through tears and blood, she lias won. 

If. Comrade Charles Wood Thompson is liereby appointed Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 
Future orders will announce other appointments on the Staff". 

III. The office hours of the Assistant Adjutant-General Avill be 
from 10 a.m. to 12 m., and from 2 to 4 p.m., except on Sundays and 
Saturday afternoons, when the office will be closed. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Chas. W. Thompson, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



;:1 



270 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Adjutant-GeneraiAs Office, 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, March 8, 1876. 

No. 2. / 

I. The foUoAving comrades are announced upon tlje Staff of the 
Commander and Avill be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 

official staff. 
Edward T. Raymond of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General . 

Samuel Dalton of Post 34, Salem, Inspector. 

William Cogswell of Post M, Salem, Judge Advocate. 

Henry Wilson, Jr., of Post 35, Chelsea, Chief Mustering Officer. 

PERSONAL STAFF. 

A. B. R. Spragne of Post 10, Worcester, Aide-de-Camp. 
Emerson Stone of Post 37, Spencer, " 

D. H. L. Gleason of Post 63, Natick, " 

Arnold A. Rand of Post U4, Dedham, "■ 

George H. Teague of Post 12, Wakefield, ^' 

Andrew J. Bailey of Post 11, Charlestown, " 

Charles H. Rust of Post 16, Springfield, 
William F. Harrington of Post 'JS, Pittsficld, '^ 
A. A. Smith of Post 20, Colrain, 
Edwin A. Morse of Post 10, Worcester, " 

Albert Wood of Post 10, Worcester, " 

M. E. Walker of Post 28, West Boylston, 

II. A list of the officers elected at the Annual Encampment of this 
Department at Lawrence, January 19 and 20, appears in the "Roster" 
accompanying this order. 

III. Tlie Department Commander calls the especial attention of 
Post Commanders to General Orders No. 6, Series 1875, from National 
Headquarters, in relation to the returns on the amended form of surgeons' 
reports, which nmst be completed at once, to include the names of all 
Avounded or disabled comrades in good standing on the rolls Dec. 31, 
1875. These returns are required to be forAvarded to these Head- 
quarters on or before the first day of April, 187G, as the Surgeon-Genei-al 
must have them to consolidate in season to present to the next National 
Encampment. The amended blank returns can be obtained upon appli- 
cation to Department Headquarters. 

IV. All official correspondence Avill be signed by Post Commanders 
and addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Chas. W. Thoaipson, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



A.R.,! 

OK, \ 
)M 7, J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Ad.jutant-General's Offic 
608 Washington Street, Room 

Boston, March 20, 1876. 
Comrade : 

Information has been received from Headquarters Centennial Com- 
mittee, at Philadelphia, that arrangements can noAV be made for the 
accommodation of this Department on the occasion of its proposed visit 
to that city at the coming Centennial celebration. It is important that 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MIiNT. 271 



the Committee should know at once, as nearly as possible, the probable 
number that -will go in this Department. A building is to l)e erected 
■within easy walking distance of tiie Centennial buildings and the rail- 
road depots, fitted up with comfortable l)unks, each containing pillow 
and mattress, at an expense not exceeding tiftj' cents per night to the 
lodger. The building Avill also contain smaller rooms for the accom- 
moilation of officers, for Avhich a moderate advance will be charged. 
Restaurants in the building, Avliere a good s(|uare meal can be procured 
for fifty cents; thus making the daily expense per man, two dollars. 
Parties Avill not be obliged to take their meals in the building, but can 
get them where they like. 

Transportation will soon be secured at a reasonably low rate, and 
it is actually necessary that some definite information should be had as 
to the number who propose going with this Department to Philadelphia, 
as 3A'erything now rests upon such information. 

Post Commanders are urgently rei|uestod to ascertain at once what 
number of comrades of their respective Posts can be counted on to go, 
and how long such comrades propose to stay in Philadelphia, — Avhether 
one Aveek, more or less. — and forAvard such information to these Head- 
quarters, Avith the least possible delay, in order that a report may be 
made to the Centennial Committee, giving them satisfactory assurances 
on the part of this Department on Avhich they can base their arrange- 
ments. 

It AA'ould be gratifying to the Commander of this Department to be 
assured of a corjlial and prompt response from the comrades composing 
this Department to the suggestions of the Commander-in-Chief, con- 
tained in National Encampment General Orders No. 10 (C.S.) 
Yours in F., C, and L., 

CHAS. W. THOMPSON, 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquartehs Dept. ov Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
G08 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders") Boston, April H, 187G. 

No. 3. i 

I. This Department Avill leaA-e Boston for Philadelphia on the 28th 
of June next, to attend the National Encampment on June 30 and the 
Encampment parade on Saturday, July 1 ; and Avill return on Monday, 
July 3, arriving in Boston July 4lh. The expense of through ticket 
for the round trip — going and returning — Avill be eleven dollars per 
man, Avhich Avill include the pay and expenses of a band for every five 
hundred men. The charges for lodging AA'ill be tifty cents, or one dollar, 
per night, according to the accommoilations. Meals are promised at 
fifty cents each. 

All details of assembly and movement will be giA-en in future orders. 

II. Every Post Commander is required to convene his Post at 
once, with full notice, to insure attendance, and Avill Avitliin liflcen days 
from this date re|)ort to these Headquarters how many members of liis 
Post Avill join the column, Avhich Avill consist of Posts. 

After full consideration by the Commander and tlie Council of 
Administration, it has been decided that neither companies nor regi- 
ments are recognized by the organixatiou of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Chas. W. Thompson, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



272 



EARLY HISTORY 1>KPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office 
608 Washington Street, Room 
Boston, April 22, 1876 






General Orders "I 

No. 4. / 

The following-named comrades are lierebj' appointed Assistant 
Inspectors for the districts herein named and ■will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

District No. 1, 11. A. Wright, Boston Highlands, Tosts 23, 134, 68, 
113, 125, 88. 

" 2, W. A. West, East Boston, Posts 11, 15, 35, 7, 32. 

" 3, J. W. Hartt, Salem, Posts 5, 45, 67, 89, 90. 

" 4, W. L. Baird, Lynn, Posts 34, 95, 118, 82, 1-32. 

" 5,D. Johnson, Jr., Lawrence, Posts 42, 49, 114, 122, 151. 

" 6, Tristram Talbot, Newburyport, Posts 39, 47, 101, 
102, 108. 

" 7, George E. Filkins, Boston, Posts 149, 26, 92, 56, 143. 

" 8, M. C. Beedle, Cambridge, Posts 57, 30, 33, 139, 148. 

" 9, A. P. Barrett, Woburn, Posts 4, 12, GG, 75, 40. 

" 10, J. P. Houghton, Newton, Posfs 29, 62, 81, 119. 

" 11, W. H. Brown, Holliston, Pasts 6, 14, 18, 63. 

" 12, J. F. Dolan, Hudson, Posts 9, 43, 86, 96. 

" 13, D. A. Partridge, W. Medway, Posts 22^ 105, 117. 

" 14, W. W. Scott, ^Worcester, Posts 10, 24, 77, 135, 136. 

" 15, A. S. Davidson, Clinton, Posts 28, 54, 59, 64. 

" 16, E. P. Morton, Webster, Posts 25, 27, 60, 61. 

" 17, John Phillips, Fitchburg, Posts 19, 48, 50, 53, 69, 115. 

" 18, J. W. Wallace, Templeton, Posts 17, 107, 109, 
116, 123. 

" 19, George R. Ladd, Spencer, Posts 37, 38, 51, 131. 

" 20, Aaron Warburton, Ware, Posts 65, 85, 97, 100. 

" 21, H.H.Underwood,Chicopee, Posts 16, 41, 71,80, 103. 

" 22, C. M. Moody, Greenfield, Posts 20, 36, 84, 93, 120. 

" 23, Almon Barrett, Pittstield, Posts 79, 98, 126, 'l30. 

" 24, W. L. Gage, Braintree, Posts 58, 87, 104. 

" 25, H. C. Sampson, Pembroke, Posts 31, 83, 111, 112, 127. 

" 26, J. A. Wheclan, East Weymouth, Posts 13, 74, 76, 124, 

" 27, A. St. John Chambre,' Franklin, Posts 8, 52, 73, 
78, 110. 

" 28, H. C. Alden, Randolph, Posts 72, 91, 121, 144. 

" 29, Frederick Thayer, Taunton, Posts 3, 55, 133, 145. 

" 30, Wm. Saunders, New Bedford, Posts 1, 46, 129,146. 

II. Acting Assistant Inspectors are hereby relieved from further 

duty, with the thanks of the Department Commander for their services, 

and all orders inconsistent with the foregoing appointments are hereby 

annulled. 



IV. The Department Commander calls the attention of Post Com- 
manders to Paragraph III., General Orders No. 9, from National Head- 
quarters, Feb. 15, 1876, and Paragraph III., General Orders No. 2, from 
these Headquarters, March, 1876; and all those who have not complied 
with the instructions therein contained are expected to do so at once. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Chas. W. Thompson, Cummandcr. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



Headquarters Dkpt. or Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutaxt-Gknkral's Ofitck, 

608 Washington- Strekt, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, Mayo, 1876. 

No. 5. / 

In accordance "with the Rules and Regulations, and in compliance 
with General Orders No. 11 (C.S.) from National Headijuarters, G.A.R., 
Tuesday, the ^Otli inst., will be observed as Memorial Day, by the Com- 
rades of this Department of the Grand Army of the Repul)lic. 

Comrades: The tlyiug years, that diminish the number of sur- 
vivors in. our ranks, increase our individual responsibility to the living 
and the dead — that a soldier's name be never tarnished, and a soldier's 
grave be never forgotten. Fewer, every year, assemble to utter tenderly 
our pledge of soldierly affection : more and more gather out of silence 
and mystery to hear it. From us, the men who have fought the battles 
of the Republic by our side have never received neglect or coldness. 
Our gratitude to them shall never die. 

On this next Memorial Day, let us assemble the orphan girls of our 
comrades and escort them to the graves of their heroic sires, that 
gentle and loving hands may strew the simple flowers which our lessened 
means enable us to bestow. Let us ask the churches of the land to 
devote the collection of one Sunday in the year to the memory of those 
who died that a christian country might live. 

Comrades : It is l)nt fifteen years since the great War Governor of 
Massachusetts, John Albion AndreAV, thrilled us through and through 
with the grand words : " From the bottom of my heart of hearts, as the 
official representative of Massachusetts, I pay to you, soldiers, citizens, 
and heroes, the homage of my most profound gratitude; and the heart 
of all Massachusetts beats Avith full sympathy to every word I utter." 
These words are our joint heritage of glory. Let the soldier-citizens 
of the Republic that they defended engrave them, with his sweet 
memory, upon their hearts, and bear them proudly aloft upon their 
banners, in the solemn march to the graves of our companions in arms. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Chas. W. Thompson, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General . 



TERS Dept. ok Mass., G.A.R., \ 
I D.I UT ant-General's Oei-ice, > 
Wasiii.ng TON Street, Room 7, J 



Headqt'arters Dept. ov Mass., G.A.R. 
Assistant Ai 
608 Wj 

General Orders) Boston, May 12, 1876. 

No. 6. i 

Comrade Charles Wood Thompson is hereby relieved from duty at 
these Headquarters as .\ssistant Adjutant-General, and ordered to report 
to his Post. 

Comrade Edward T. Raymond is hereby appointed Acting Assistant 
Adjutant-General until further orders, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Official : Commander. 

E. T. Raymond, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 

18 



274 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.ll 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
608 WASiiiNGTt)N Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, May 18, 1876. 

No. 7. / 

I. Comrade James F. Meech is hereby appointed Assistant Adju- 
tant-General of this Department, and Avill be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

II. Comrade EdAvard T. Raymond is hereby relieved from duty as 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, and receives the thanks of the Com- 
mander for the efficiency and promptness of his temporary services as 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F Meech, 

Assistant xkljutant-Qeneral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Assistant Aimutant-General's Office, 

608 AVashington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, May 18, 1876. 

No. 8. / 

I. Comrade S. C. Parsons of Lawrence is appointed Assistant 
Inspector for District 5, and Comrade Jacob Silloway of Canton is 
appointed Assistant Inspector for District 28, in place of Comrades H. C. 
Alden and D. Johnson, Jr., who have declined to serve. 

II. As a misunderstanding in regard to countersigns seems to 
exist, and there isno Department countersign, the National countersign 
■will be delivered at the outer door, and the Post countersign at the inner 
door of each Post. Assistant Inspectors will see that this form for all 
Posts in this Department is strictly followed. 

III. Assistant Inspectors will be thorough in all their inspections 
and report all Posts as they actually are. 

IV. Post Commanders are reminded that they must promptly 
report to these Headquarters the number of members of each Post who 
propose to attend the Centennial parade at Philadelphia. In default of 
this information, accommodations cannot be properly secured in advance. 
Additional circulars are herewith inclosed, and immediate attention to 
General Orders No. 3 is required. 

Per order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 275 



Headqitarters Dept. or Mass., G.A.K., 
Assistant Adjltant-Geneuai/s Ofkice, 
60« Washington Stkekt, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, Juue 1, 1876. 

No. 9. J 

I. Information liavinjr been received at these Headquarters that 
circulars of a political character liave been addressed to Tost Com- 
manders as such by political clubs, for the puri)Ose of using this orsjani- 
zation in a manner entirely improper, the attention of Post Commanders 
is hereby called to Article XL, Chapter V., Kules and Regulations. No 
political circulars in favor of any candidate of any party must be dis- 
tributed bv or through this organization. 

II. To verify "the books of this Department, the Commander of 
each Post is ordered to send in at once to these Headquarters, on the 
inclosed blank, a correct statement of all moneys that have been trans- 
mitted to these Headciuarters since Jan. 20, 1876, by each Post re- 
spectively. The statement must include all moneys for dues and supplies 
since said date. 

III. Post Commanders are reminded that all requisitions for sup- 
plies should be made on blanks furnished for that purpose, and must be 
approved by Post Commanders. Also, that all official communications 
to these Headciuarters should be addressed to the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, signed by the proper officers, and written on a letter sheet 
capable of being placed on file. 

********* 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meecif, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



5S Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"| 
utant-GenehaiAs Office, V 
shington Street, Room 7, J 



Headquarters Dept. of :Mass. 
Assistant Adjutan 
608 Washin( 
General Orders \ Boston, June 8, 1876. 

No. 10. i" 

I. In accordance with change of programme announced in General 
Orders No. 12 from National Headciuarters, herewith transmitted, by 
which Monday, July 3, is substituted for Saturday, July 1, as the day of 
the National Encampment Parade of the Grand Army of the Republic, at 
Philadelphia, and by Avhich a grand Grand Army of the Republic and 
veteran parade is ordered at Schuetzen Park, Philadelphia, July .">. 

General Orders No. 3 of this Department is so far countermanded 
only as to substitute Thursday, July 6, for Monday, July 3, as the day 
when this Department will leave Philadelphia on its return, to arrive in 
Boston (ui Fridav, Julv 7. Comrades wishing to return before the 7th 
will find their excursion railroad tickets good. Immediate attention of 
all Posts in this Department to the circulars herewith transmitted, and 
immediate response as to their intention to visit Philadelphia, is desired, 
to secure accommodation. . 

II. Post Commanders must see that all orders received are kept 
on the files of the Posts for inspection at all times. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

C'umniander. 

James F. Meecii, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



CE, V 
)M 7, J 



276 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of M\8S., 
Assistant Adjutant-General's Office, 
608 Washington Street, Room 
General Orders'! Boston, June 21, 1876. 

No. 11. / 

This Department will leave Boston for Philadelphia at 6 o'clock 
P.M. Wednesday, the twenty-eighth day of June, from the Boston and 
Providence Railroad Station, via Stonington. All delegates, officers, and 
members of this Department are invited to appear i)romptly at the time 
and place specified, and take the train without further notice. 

Tickets for the round trip, at nine dollars each, and good for thirty 
days, can be furnished on application to the Assistant Adjutant-General 
at these Headquarters in Boston. 

Headquarters during the stay of this Department in Philadelphia 
Avill be at the Colonnade Hotel, Chestnut, corner South 15th Street. 

All Posts and members intending to take part in the Encampment 
parade will report promptly on their arrival to the Assistant Adjutant- 
General. 

All officers will provide themselves with full uniforms and swords, 
and be prepared to appear, mounted, July 3d, for which, on application, 
horses will be furnished. A full stall' is desired. 

To insure gootl accommodations, all members intending to accom- 
pany the Department should notify the Assistant Adjutant-General 
previous to June 27. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, Aug. 6, 1876. 

No. 12. J 

I. At a meeting of the Council of Administration of this Depart- 
ment, held June 21, 1876, Comrade J. G. B. Adams of Lynn was unani- 
mously elected a member of the Council, vice Comrade J. F. Meech, 
resigned. 

II. Commanders of Posts who have neglected to send in their 
quarterly reports for the quarter ending June 30, 1870, are reminded of 
their duty. The report of the whole Department to National Head- 
quarters is embarrassed by this neglect. The reports from delinquent 
Posts must be forwarded at once. 

III. Comrade J. Frank Makee of Post 62, Newton, is hereby 
appointed Assistant Inspector of the 10th District, vice Houghton, 
resigned. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

********* 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



HEAPQUAnTEUs Dept. OF Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washingtox Street, Koo^r 7, 
General Orders \ Boston, Aug. 30, 187G. 

No. 13. / 

A parade of all the Posts of this Department is hereby ordered, in 
the city of Boston, at 12 o'clock m., on Wednesday the 11th day of 
October, 1<S7(5. 

A full exhibition of the strength of the Department is deemed im- 
portant to the interests of the Order and the special charity referred to 
in the circular annexed. All details of tlie parade will be given in future 
orders. 

Commanders of Posts will at once convene their Posts and transmit 
at the earliest possible day to the Assistant Adjutant-General a statement 
of the number of men that each Post will bring into line for this first 

Department parade, in this historic year. 

********* 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meecii, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



(Circular Supplementary to General Order No. 13.) 

CONFIDENTIAL TO POSTS. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 

Boston, Aug. 30, 1876. 
Mr. Commander and Comrades : 

It must have been apparent to you yiat the public tone has been 
materially attected by the great camp-fire of May 10, 1876, in Faneuil 
Hall. The sudden apparition of four thousand men at niglitfall, in the 
streets of Boston, their soldierly manner, their vigorous protest against 
injustice, and their quiet retirement when their words Avere said and 
tlieir work was done, excited no little surprise, admiration, and respect. 
It proved that the Grand Army was an honest and fearless power in the 
social life of Massachusetts. 

It has been thought well by the Council of Administration to take 
advantage of this juster sentiment, and strike the chord again, and now, 
in aid of the surt'ering soldiers of the Commonwealth. Other states and 
nations hold their maimed and disabled heroes as their dearest wards. 
They are heroes and not paupers. 

Our members, able to aid, are getting fewer and our resources are 
diininishing, at the same time that the calls on us through age and 
increased disability are increasing. The civilians must come more 
largely to our aid. We require a Home with some hospital facilities for 
the soldiers and the sailors who lost health and almost life under the battle- 
flags of the nation. AVe want such a home in Massachusetts for Massa- 
chusetts men who wish to live and die on their native soil. For the 
want of such an institution, legacies, which patriotic people of this 
Commonwealth would have gladly left to sucli a home, have been 
diverted or lost for want of an inheriting existence and name. 

To inaugurate such a charity and to excite the attention of the 
citizens, it has been deemed proper to make the greatest possible demon- 
stration of the numbers and character of our Order by a Department 
parade on the 11th of October, 1876. It is expected that the disabled 
veterans of our Order will be escorted in conveyances in our column, 
that the public may refresh tlieir memory of all that has been done and 
suffered. 



278 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



The route of marcli will be effective and short. A simple ana sub- 
stantial collation will be provided by the Committee of Arrangements. 
Railroads are expected to furnish tickets at reduced rates. 

The importance of impressing the public with our numbers and 
deserts is such, that Posts are earnestly desired to recruit in every 
reasonable way. No exertion will be spared by your Commander to 
make the burdens on you as little as possible. But it must rest with 
you to say whether this demonstration of the Grand Army of the 
Republic shall be such as to command the attention of our charitable 
fellow citizens and prevent forever the insulting question, " Who and 
what are the Grand Army of the Republic?" Let an enormous column 
in our first Department parade answer, and a prompt response to your 
appeals for charity will be assured. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Jambs F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



... 

i76.J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
608 Washington Street, Koo.m 7, 
General Orders") Boston, Sept.~l5, 187 

No. 14. / 

The Department Commander is extremely gratified that the first 
Department parade, on October 11, is welcomed with a spirit of harmony 
that recognizes, with true soldierly enthusiasm, the grandeur of our 
purpose. No effort must be spared to fill the marching ranks and the 
wagons of our invalids. The poorest cripple of the Grand Army of the 
Republic deserves the public respect and regard for duty nobly done ; 
and the public will surely help those who sliOAv themselves strong 
enough to help themselves and each other. Let it never forget the 11th 
of October, 1876; make our column an appeal for charity. 

The parade Avill be in two divisions, under the command of the 
Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders respectively. 

The subdivisions Avill be by counties and the units of subdivisions 
will be Posts. 

Any county desiring to parade as such, under a Commander to be 
elected by the Posts of the county and approved by the Department 
Commander, can do so, and is desired to make its selection and report at 
once, that a general order ma}' be immediately issued. 

Each commander of subdivisions will be entitled to appoint his 
own staff of not more than six. It is recommended that every personal 
consideration in these elections or appointments be subordinated to 
organizing ability, energy, and enthusiasm in the success of this first 
public demonstration of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

All communications in regard to horses, equipments, barges for 
invalid comrades, and all matters of detail, are to be addressed to the 
Assistant Adjutant-General. For the convenience of referring each 
communication promptly to the proper officer detailed for s^eoial work, 
each letter should refer to one subject only. 

Other details will be announced as soon as possible n further 
orders. 

Posts are reminded that a delay in notifying these Headquarters of 
the number of comi-ades intending to report for duty will greatly retard 
preparation. 

Every Post is expected to be represented in line, and the largest 
representation of each Post is desired. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General^. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 279 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders! Boston, Sept. 27, 1876. 

No. 15. / 

The Grand Army Posts of the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, 
Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester, and Middlesex will constitute the First 
Division, under the command of Senior Vice-Commander J. L. Slvinner 
of Amherst. 

The Posts of the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, 
and Bristol Avill constitute the Second Division under the command of 
Junior Vice-Commander Herbert E. Hill of Somervillc. 

Division Commanders will at once appoint their staffs and organize 
their commands for the Department parade in Boston, on the 11th of 
October next. 

Comrade M. B. Lakeman of Maiden is hereby appointed Commander 
of the Middlesex County subdivision. 

Comrade (). F. Nims of Boston is hereby appointed Commander 
of the Suffolk County subdivision. They will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

Further appointments of subdivision commanders will be announced 
in future orders. Counties that have not organized and nominated their 
commanders for approval at these Headijuarters should at once. do so. 

All details in regard to transportation and rendezvous will be 
announced as soon as possible. Posts should at once report to the 
Assistant Adjutant-General the number of invalids requiring carriages 
for the march. 

There will be no assessment upon Posts for the collation, which will 
consist of an abundant ration of sandwiches and coffee, to be served out 
to every man in line before the hour of parade. 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 1 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, >• 
General Orders \ Boston, Sept. 30, 1876. J 

No. 16. f 

I. The attention of commanders, adjutants, and quartermasters 
of Posts is called to the importance of preparing and forwarding to 
these Headquarters the quarterly reports of Posts on the first days of 
January, April, July, and October. It is imperative that this should be 
done promptly, as the reports have to be consolidated and forwarded to 
National Headquarters " within twenty days after the beginning of each 
quarter." To avoid accident and loss, all remittances for (.lues, supplies, 
etc., to these Headquarters should be by express, money order, registered 
letter, draft or check, payable to the order of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General. 

II. The attention of Post commanders and surgeons is called 
to "Circular No. 1" and "Blank" inclosed, from National Head- 
quarters, and especially to paragraphs 5 and 10 of the circular. 

III. The following additional appointments of Aides-de-Camp are 
made on the Staff of the Dei)artment Commander : Gardner \. Churchill 
of Post C,S; Charles H. Pcav, 2d, of Post 45; Charles G. Davis of Post 
26, and John McKay, Jr., of Post 7. They will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. ******* 

By order of 
James F. Meech, HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. Commander. 



280 EARLY IIISTORT DKPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquartkrs Dept. of Mass., G.A.E., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
Gei^ral Orders \ Boston, Oct. 5, 1876. 

No. 17. i 

Comrades Josiah Pickett of Worcester and Nathaniel Shatswell of 
Ipswich have been elected and approved as Commanders of the Worcester 
and Essex County subdivisions respectively. They will be obeyed and 
respected accordingly. 

The Posts of the County of Norfolk having failed to organize as a 
county. Comrade Thomas Sherwin of Post 144, Dedham, is hereby ap- 
pointed Commander of Norfolk County subdivision. He Avill be obeyed 
and respected accordingly. 

The order of formation at the Department parade of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, on the 11th of October. 1876, Avill be as follows, 
the positions of counties, desiring to parade as such, having been assigned 
by lot drawn in a meeting of the Council of Administration : — 

The First Division will form on the side streets on the west side of 
Washington Street, Boston, witli its right resting on the intersection of 
West Brookline and Washington Streets. 

The Posts of Middlesex County will form on West Brookline, West 
Newton and Rutland Streets; Worcester County on West Concord and 
Worcester Streets, Avith the right resting on the intersection of West 
Concord and Washington Streets; Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, and 
Franklin on West Springfield Street, in the order named, with right rest- 
ing on Washington Street. 

The Second Division Avill form on the side streets of the east side of 
Washington Street, Boston, with its right resting on the intersection of 
East Brookline and Washington Streets. The Posts of Suffolk County 
will form on East Brookline and East Newton Streets, with right at 
the intersection of East Brookline and Washington Streets ; Norfolk 
County on East Concord Street, with right on Washington Street ; Bristol 
and Plymouth in the order named, on Worcester Square, with right 
on Washington Street ; Essex on East Springfield Street, with right on 
Washington Street. 

Carriages with invalids Avill form in line, from Washington Street 
to Harrison Avenue, on north side of Chester Park. Invalids will report 
there to Comrade Geo. S. Evans of the Council of Administration. 

The commands will be in line on their respective streets of formation 
at 11 o'clock A.M., with opened ranks, facing inward, to admit'the passage 
of quartermaster's Avagons betAveeu the i-anks. Rations Avill be served 
at once to every man in line. 

At 12 o'clock precisely the command Avill move, by column of pla- 
toons of twelve files front Avith a guide in the folloAving order : The First 
Division, consisting of Middlesex, Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, 
Berkshire, and Franklin Counties, in the order named. The carriages Avill 
promptly folloAv the rear of the First Division. The Second Division will 
folloAv the carriages in the order named : Suff'olk, Norfolk, Bristol, Ply- 
mouth, Essex. 

The route of the parade Avill be from Brookline Square, through 
Washington Street, Chester Square, Columbus Avenue, Park Square, 
Boylston, Treraont, AVinter, Summer, Arch, Franklin, Broad, State, 
Washington, School, Beacon, Dartmouth Streets and CommouAvealth 
Avenue 1;o Arlington Street, Avhere the command Avill be dismissed. 

All railroads centering in Boston have consented to grant half fare 
to Posts coming in uniform, and to their musicians. The arrangement 
as to trains, their arrival and departure, whether regular or special, will 
be left excluslA'ely to Posts. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 281 



The Deparlmont anticipates from this parade a irrcat and lasting 
benefit to the charitable needs of our comrades. Tiioiiiih it is probably 
unnecessary to make the suggestion, the power that a single comrade 
has to prejudice the good name of the Order renders it the imperative 
duty of Post Commanders to discourage any conduct prejudicial to the 
good order and discipline that veterans should maintain. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Mkecii, • Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General . 



R.,| 

^76. J 



Hkadqu.\rteks T)k,pt. of Mass., G.A.R., 
G08 Washington Strekt, Room 
General Orders "I Boston, Oct. (!, 18; 

No. 18. i 

I. Plymouth County having organized and reported the name of 
Comrade Chas. F. Allen of Abington, as Commander, the nomination is 
hereby approved. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

So much of the sixth clause of General Order No. 17 as assigns 
relative positions to Bristol and Plymouth Counties is hereby counter- 
manded. Plymouth and Bristol Counties, in the order named, ■will form 
on Worcester Square. Avith the right on Washington Street. 

II. Each commander of subdivisions will at once appoint one 
member of his statf to serve as assistant quartermaster-general, Avho 
will immediately, on his arrival, report to the Department Quartermaster- 
General, E. T. Raymond, at his Headquarters, which will be at Franklin 
Square, Washington Street. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Deft, op Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders "I Boston, Nov. 25, 187G. 

No; 19. / 

I. Attention is called to circular inclosed, from National Head- 
quarters, dated October t». Posts are earnestly desired to subscribe for 
one copy each of the work referred to in circular, as a most important 
part of the history and decisions of the Order. A copy can be seen at 
these Headquarters. Subscriptions must be sent in at once. 

II. Posts must bear in mind that the first, and not the last, meeting 
in December is the time appointed for election of Post otticers anil 
representatives to the Department Encampment. See Order No. 5, 
inclosed. 

III. The order announcing mustering officers will be issued early 
in December, and the Chief Avill be governed by the wishes of Posts in 
their selection when practicable. Recommendations must be forwarded 

immediately. 

********* 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



^76.) 



282 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 

608 Washington Street, Room 7, 

Boston, Dec. 23, 1876. 

General Orders") 

No. 20. J 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department will be convened in 
Amory Hall (corner Washiuyton and West Streets), Boston, on Wednes- 
day, Jan. 17, 1877, at 7 o'clock p.m., for the election of Department 
officers and the transaction of such other business as may come before 
it. Posts are entitled to the follo-\vin<; ratio of representation : One 
delegate for every tifty members reported in good standing, with one 
additional for a final fraction of more than half that number; but each 
Post, whatever its numbers, shall be entitled to at least one delegate. 
Post Commanders are members of the Encampment by virtue of tlieir 
office. 

II. The Commander of Post 15 Avill detail an Officer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard, and at least six Sentinels for duty during the 
Encampment. The Officer of the Day Avill report to the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General at G.30 P.M. on the 17th, for instructions. 

III. The Adjutant's, Quartermaster's, and Surgeon's Reports, to- 
gether with all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to Department 
Encampment, should be forwarded to these Headquarters on or before 
Jan. 10, 1877. The Rules require the exclusion from the E^jcanipment 
of any Post failing to make complete returns, especially Surgeon's 
report on the new Form F. Every Post has received one of the Sur- 
geon's blanks, which is to be filled out in accordance with Circular No. 1, 
dated Aug. 15, 187(5, from the Surgeon-General's Office. This blank is to 
be copied into the Medical Descriptive Book, which is to be retained by 
the Post; and the above blank is to be transmitted with the Adjutant's 
and Quartermaster's reports to these Headquarters. These instructions 
from National Headquarters are peremptory. 

IV. The following-named comrades ar^ hereby designated as 
Mustering Officers and will install the officers of the Posts whose num- 
bex'S appear against their names : — 

F. C. Luce, New Bedford, 1, 14G; H. E. Hill, Somerville, 5; A. M. 
Parker, Worcester, 10, 70; B. S. Lovell, East Weymouth, 13; D. G. 
Macnamara, Boston, 15; J. W. Kimball, Fitchburg, 19, 53; William 
Muldoon, East Cambridge, 29; J. L. Parker, Woburn, 33, 75; J. G. B. 
Adams, Lynn, 34, 73; J.D. Cogswell, Leicester. 37, 131; Geo. S. Merrill, 
Lawrence, 39; J. P. Maxfleld, Lowell, 42, 102; A. M. Page, Marlboro', 
43; J. M. Goodrich, Amesbury, 49, 122; John McKay, Jr., Boston, 5G ; 
H. B. Peirce, Abington, 58, 66; H. H. Hitchcock, West Warren, 65; I. 
H. Edgett, Beverly^ 67, 89; C. D. Nash, South Abington, 78, 127; Geo. 
L. Rice, North Adaihs, 79, 126; J. C. Knights, Hanover, 83, 111 ; Wm.G. 
Sheen, Quincy, 88; J. W. Barnard, Danvers, 90; J. G. Leach, Warren, 
99; E. B. Blasland, Boston, 113, 125; S. C. Parsons, Lawrence, 114, 151; 
E. J. Gushing, Soutli Gardner, 116; Wm. H. Hildreth, Peabody, 132; 
Thomas Sherwin, Boston, 144. 

The officers of Posts 7 and 35 will be installed by the Chief Muster- 
ing Officer, Henry Wilson, Jr., and those of Post 68 by the Assistant 
Adjutant-General. 

In case of the absence of the comrade designated above for any 
Post, and where no comrade has been assigned, the senior Past Post 
Commander present will act. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Cumviander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ELEVENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 283 



576. J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
Boston, Dec. 20, 1876. 

To Post Commanders. 

Comrades: Please have a perfect understanding -with your adju- 
tants, quartermasters, and surgeons concerning their reports, that they 
shall hand theni to you instead of forwarding direct to lleadciuarters. 

Please see that they agree in every particular ; also, that the Sur- 
geon's report is i)roperly made on the new Form F, copied into the 
Medical Descriptive Book, — wliich is to be the retained copy and record 
of the Post, — and tlie new form approved by you and forwarded with 
the adjutant's and quartermaster's reports, together witli the dues and 
a list of delegates and alternates to the Department Encampment; also, 
the name and post-office address of the new Post Commander, for the 
Department Roster, before Jan. 10, 1877. 

Please see that the list of officers-elect appears in the Roster of 
Adjutant's report, and that all changes in the "Recapitulation" are 
accounted for by name under the •' Muster Roll," and under the proper 
headings on back of report. Also see that the reports are signed by the 
cfflcers of this year. 

Please see that the necessary blanks for reports are ordered at 
once, and that the amount due Department Headquarters is forwarded 
immediately, in order that all Post accounts may be closed December 81. 

If the foregoing suggestions are carried out, the labors of the 
undersigned will be materially lessened. 

Yours, iu F., C, and L., 

JAMES F. MEECFI, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THK 

HNCAMPMENT AT BOSTON, 
1878. 



JANUARY IH. — EVENING SESSION. 

Encampment called to order by Commander Horace Binney 
Sargent. The Assistant Adjutant-General proceeded to call the 
roll, and the following Department officers and 173 delegates 
responded : Commander Horace Binney Sargent, Senior Vice- 
Commander George S. Evans, Chaplain J. F. Lovering ; J. G. 
B. Adams, C. C. Emery, and John McKay, Jr., of the Council; 
Asst. Adjt.-Gen. J. F. Meech, Asst. Q.M.-Gen. E. T. Raymond, 
Inspector Samuel Dalton, and Past Department Commander 
George S. Merrill. 

Post 4 of Melrose having returned M. S. Page as Commander, 
Comrade C. B. Baldwin presented his credential as Commander ; 
and on motion of Comrade McDonough of Post 7 it was voted 
that Comrade Baldwin be admitted. 

Commander Sargent gave notice to the guard to admit to 
the rear of the hall all comrades, not members of the Encamp- 
ment, who might present themselves and give the proper counter- 
sign. 

The Encampment was called to attention, and prayer was 
offered by Chaplain J. F. Lovering. The next business being 
the reports of officers, first in order came the 

ADDRESS OF COMMANDER SARGENT. 
Comrades of the Grand Army of the liej^ublic in the Dejmrtment 
of Massachusetts : 
The eleventh year of our soldierly and charitable society has 
come to an end. We are assembled to i)ass in review our present 
condition and our action as an organization for dispensing among 
our comrades-in-arms and their families the money contributed by 
ourselves and our fellow-citizens of the State. 



285 



286 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

I am happy to say that, notwithstanding the depression of 
business, our numbers are not seriously diminished, and that the 
spirit that animates the Order — binds us together in Fraternity, 
Charit}', and Loyalty — was never more unselfish and pure. The 
Grand Army in Massachusetts is respected. 

The number of our Posts in this State is 136, with a mem- 
bership in good standing of about 8,000 men. Posts are three 
less than last year, and two new Posts have been chartered. The 
losses arise chiefly from hard times, which cause a certain number 
of men to be dropped for non-payment of dues. The public 
little know how sad a story of poverty and despair, from old age, 
broken health, and disabling reopened wounds, this simple record 
of " arrears" could often tell. Many of the men who volunteered 
in 1861 are over sixty years of age; and the younger recruits 
very generally sacrificed to the nation their best years for learning 
trades or establishing themselves in the business of civil life. On 
these men the present continued depression of business acts with 
exhausting power, because gratitude has now ceased to be a lively 
force in Massachusetts, and young and well-trained operatives are 
too often preferred for the few situations that offer. 

The Posts have during the past year dispensed in " charity," 
as those call it who misread the balance sheet between the muti- 
lated soldier and the rescued nation, $22,211,27. 

The treasuries of the various Posts have on hand in their 
relief funds for local aid, $38,936.16. 

The Department is financially in good condition. The report 
of the Department Quartermaster will give a statement of the 
receipts and disbursements of the Department as such. Depart- 
ment Headquarters having no separate fund and acting as central 
agent for transmission of Post dues to the National Headquarters. 
The subject of a fund at Department Headquarters was pressed 
in my report of last January, and committed by the Convention to 
the Council of Administration with full powers. After several 
debates, the Council have decided to report that our Rules and 
Regulations, which require assessments to be fixed by the Annual 
Convention in January, forestall any action by the Council that 
looks to the creation of such a fund by a tax. I again call your 
attention to the necessity of a small fund. 

By the report of the Assistant Adjutant-General, it appears 
that five feeble Posts, Nos. 60, 98, 107, 130, 133, have surren- 
dered their charters, and that new charters have been granted to 
IMethuen Post, numbered 100, and Princeton Post, numbered ^S. 
Most of the Posts which have surrendered their charters have, for 
a long time, been the subject of unfavorable reports from the 
Inspector as weak in numbers. The two new Posts start with 
excellent prospects of vigorous life. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 287 

The surrender of charters by weak Posts, and the merging 
of their members in strong Posts in the neighborhood, is natural 
and not to be deprecated. A quorum for business is not easily 
assured in Posts established in sparse neighborhoods and originally 
consisting, perhaps, of the smallest number of soldiers entitled to 
a charter. The monetary enthusiasm dies out when meeting after 
meeting fails of full attendance. The permanence of our Order 
in the State is better assured sometimes by one large Post than 
by two small ones. The interest of the citizens is more com- 
pletely preserved. The labors of the Department oHlcers would 
be diminished, and the discipline improved, by limiting the number 
of Posts to the highest point where regular meetings and a fairly 
full attendance can be secured. Probably many ex-soldiers would 
like to be members of a large Post, although not able to attend so 
regularly as to insure a quorum in a small one. Details for the 
memorial ceremonies on Decoration Day may be easily made from 
a large Post ; and I earnestly recommend a careful scrutiny of the 
graveyards in the State, so that no solitary grave of any soldier 
who has marched under the banner of Massachusetts may be 
neglected. 

The obvious suggestion, that the number of oHicers on the 
roster of a Post is so large that very small Posts can have no 
rank and file, explains the occasional decay of interest in these 
weak organizations, A single, lone private in a company where 
all but himself are officers, may be pardoned for lack of military 
enthusiasm. And with so small a body to choose from, the otlicer 
business must be often poorly done. Therefore, except as a 
stepping-stone for men who might be excluded from the Grand 
Army by established Posts, but who, once chartered, can sur- 
render their charter and be transferred, I should not encourage 
new charters lightly, but would consolidate Posts. 

With a deep sense of a painful duty, I i-ecommend that the 
rule in regard to honorable discharges and readmissions to the 
Grand Army be changed. In military principle, no discharge 
should be given without the final assent of Department Head- 
quarters, and even the approval of the Commander-in-Chief. But 
to expel, with the utmost dishonor, a comrade for intoxication; 
to finally droj) a brave soldier too poor to pay his dues; and to 
honorably d Lsrharge a convicted felon, are inconsistencies that will 
bring the Grand Army into contempt. Under the title " Disci- 
pline," the third offense cognizable by the Grand Army is "the 
commission of a scandalous offense against the laws of the land." 
In my opinion the " honorable discharge " of a convicted criminal 
in the State Prison is itself a court-martial offense, as "conduct 
prejudicial to good order and discipline." Such a scandal de- 
mands attention, for the same laxity that gives an honorable 
discharge to a felon may be expected to readmit him to the Post 
and elect him a delegate to Conventions. 



288 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The report of the Department Inspector presents an en- 
couraging view of this Department. For the benefit of my suc- 
cessor and the next Council of Administration, who may require 
to use the valuable information that comes too late in a year's 
service to be available by a new board of officers. I suggest a 
careful examination of the special reports of the assistant in- 
spectors, as the best indications of our internal condition. These 
special reports should be studied with reference especially to the 
equalizing of burdens among the Posts, some of which exhaust 
themselves in charitable labors, while others of greater ability 
dispense nothing and refer applicants to other Posts already over- 
burdened. These special iuspection reports, moreover, exhibit, 
in some instances, a laxity in the ceremonial which requires 
immediate reformation. 

In consequence of General Order No. .5, from National Head- 
quarters, and in obedience to its spirit, I have ordered the publi- 
cation hereafter of Posts, with the names of Commanders, in 
arrears for reports. The i;esult has been creditable to the Depart- 
ment, which, in the opinion of National Headquarters, maintains 
its high position as a soldierly body of men. 

Its strength and discipline were well exhibited on the 17th of 
September last, when the city of Boston dedicated the Army and 
Navy Monument on the Common. One hundred and nineteen 
Posts were represented, and numbered, including the bands, 
6,719 in the Grand Army column. The Commander-in-Chief 
was escorted by the Department and w^as handsomely entertained 
with other guests, especially Post 1 of Providence, R.I., by John 
A. Andrew Post 15 of this city. The march of the Grand Army 
was enthusiastically cheered by the vast crowds of assembled citi- 
zens. Post 7 also entertained Post 2 from Portland, Me. The 
City Government of Boston has superbly printed and generously 
distributed a history of the monument. 

During the past year I have had occasion, with the advice of 
the Assistant Judge Advocate, to return disapproved the proceed- 
ings of several Post courts-martial. Where grave offenses, which 
might be matter of criminal process, are charged, the rules of law 
and evidence cannot be disregarded. The Judge- Advocate of 
every Post should be familiar with court-martial law, otherwise 
charges, specifications, material and immaterial facts of evidence 
are confused, and mere inferences of a witness are taken as testi- 
mony. 

I respectfully remind my comrades that a dangerous wrong, 
which civil courts might not justify, may sometimes be done by 
our neglect of the legal protection which the laws of society throw 
around defendants ; and that, while we must protect the Grand 
Army from contamination so far as we may, we have not in our 
charge ten thousand nuns or apostles to keep absolutely unspotted 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 289 

from the world. It is not always easy to draw the line; but as a 
great P^nglish judge once said in a trial for witchcraft, where the 
evidence was that the witch was seen riding through the air on a 
broom, that he knew "■ no law of P^ngland which prevented a ladj'^ 
from riding on a broomstick, if she pleased " ; so I know no rule 
in the Grand Army which inflicts our highest penalty on a man 
off duty for making a fool of himself by any act not forbidden by 
the laws of the land. 

We must never forget, while we imitate the forms of punish- 
ment or trial that are usual in the army, that we have no firm hold 
on those whom we discipline. We are bound by a principle which 
offenders despise — our mutual obligation. In the army no man 
can desert or, against the will of his superior, resign, to escape a 
penalty. 

In this connection, it would be well to increase the induce- 
ments to join our Order and to remain in it. Among the effective 
objects of common interest to hold us to the Order, none seems to 
have taken a stronger hold upon the hearts of our comrades than 
a Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts. 

In ni}' last report I stated the fact that the Legislature had 
incorporated Gov. Alexander H. Rice, ex-Gov. William Gaston, 
the Attorney-General of the United States, Major-Gen. Charles 
Devens, and the officers of the Grand Army of the Republic in 
this Department, as Trustees, with the right to hold S200,000 in 
real and personal estate for the use of a soldiers' home in this 
State. We have thus far secured but a small portion of the sum 
required. Hard times have combined with other causes to delay 
a success of which I feel certain. I have more than once found 
obstacles in some corner of our own ranks ; some criticism or ex- 
pression of indifference which proposes nothing, does nothing, 
gives nothing, but contents itself with squirting a little lukewarm 
water upon object, or method, or location. But I have summered 
and wintered the warm-hearted, generous, and brave host that I 
have had twice, by their kind suffrages, the honor to command. I 
know that you niean to have a soldiers' home over which the 
State banner and National flag shall fly. I fall back on your 
determination, and my own, that the suffering soldiers of Massa- 
chusetts shall have a nobler shelter than the poor-house and the 
jail. 

Massachusetts is just beginning to reawaken. She must be 
reminded of some facts in our memory. Why are Government 
bonds better than Confederate bonds? She is not your creditor; 
and she is a just and generous debtor to those who lent their 
money. Will she not also be just and generous to those who lent 
the best years of their manhood and gave their blood? On the 
day of the return of the standards in l«G.j would she have believed 
that, only twelve years later, the men who, amid the tears and 

19 



290 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

shouting of the people and the thunder of cannon, placed those 
two hundred and sixty-five battle-flags in Governor Andrew's en- 
raptured hands, would have asked in vain for one dollar from each 
forty of her population ? It is not one-half of one per cent of the 
loss arising to Massachusetts soldiery from having been paid in 
depreciated paper instead of gold. The first regiments were hired 
in gold. The latter enlistments, on account of the depreciation 
of currency, received larger pay and bounty. But ten millions 
of dollars would not make up the difference between paper and 
gold to the men who were hired to go through Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. Did they not earn " honest 
money " ? 

AVhen I hear the very reasonable demand for "honest 
money " from those who never risked their lives, and when I 
think what the credit of the State would be if she should pay her 
money debts in a paper so much below the price agreed on per 
month as she permitted her soldiers to be paid for blood, and 
then exile them or send them to the poor-house, I think John 
Albion Andrew must have been beside himself when he said to 
these exiled paupers, " From the bottom of my heart of hearts, 
as the official representative of Massachusetts, I pay to you, 
soldiers, citizens, and heroes, the homage of my most profound 
gratitude ; and the heart of all Massachusetts beats with full 
sympathy to every word I utter." Twelve j'ears have worked a 
sad change from heroes. 

The fact that the United States has established, at a cost of 
nearly two million of dollars, four national asylums in four 
States — Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Maine — proves the na- 
tion's sense of such a necessity. The other fact, that those four 
asylums cannot now possibly contain ten thousand men, that 
the late war left two hundred and eighty-four thousand wounded, 
and that there are over sixteen hundred bounded men in this 
Department alone, — of less than ten thousand Massachusetts 
soldiers, — demonstrates the inadequacy of the national provision 
for us. And yet many soldiers are dying for want of that daily 
surgical and medical supei'vision which can only be given in a 
hospital home. We have dispensed money and care in soldiers' 
homes ; we have paid the board of soldiers without homes ; and 
now, with hundreds of soldiers disfranchised in poor-houses, 
houseless, hungry, and anguished by camp diseases and reopen- 
ing wounds, we, the Grand Army of the Republic, claim to know 
what we Avere doing when, in convention, we formally resolved to 
have a soldiers' home in this State. In this resolve we expressed 
the same opinion held by two soldiers, who are not notorious as 
bummers. General Grant and General Sherman : both of whom 
earnestly advocate a soldiers' home in every State. I will not 
believe that the patriotic men and women of Massachusetts can in 



Twelfth annual encampment. 291 

the same hour look without shtime at our shattered, blood-stained 
battle-flags, and exile to another State, far from wife, children, 
and friends, their poor, sick, mutilated defenders. Listen to 
Andrew's words when he received these battle-flags from those 
whom he styled, only twelve years ago last month, " Soldiers so 
brave, and citizens so beloved." 

"Proud memories of many fields," he said; "sweet memo- 
ries alike of valor and of friendship ; sad memories of fraternal 
strife ; tender memories of our fallen brothers and sons, whose 
dying eyes looked last upon their flaming folds ; grand memories 
of heroic virtues, sublimed by grief ; exultant memories of the 
great and final victories of our country, our Union, and the 
righteous cause ; thankful memories of a deliverance wrought 
out for human nature itself, unexampled by any former achieve- 
ment of arms ; immortal memories with immortal honors blended 
twine around these splintered staves, weave themselves along 
the warp and woof of these familiar flags, war-worn, begrimed, 
and baptized with blood." 

My heart turns over when I read these words, with sickness, 
indignation, and loathing of the cold and calculating economy 
that can think of divorcing — exiling any one of my fellow-soldiers 
from these immortal banners. If Massachusetts cannot and will 
not aid us, she repudiates — repudiates the official promise made 
by lier great war governor, and is not worthy of the meanest 
drop of blood that has been shed in a civil strife, which she, more 
than any other Northern State, excited. But she will not re- 
pudiate that promise. Let her take care of her wounded chil- 
dren, or abandon those trophies in Doric Hall to their imploring 
hands. 

It is not creditable to her that though she has spent for one 
insane asylum nearly as much as the Union has expended on all 
the national asylums for soldiers, only $9,000 have been secured 
for the Soldiers' Home in the State, of which sum Miss Sever of 
West Roxbury bequeathed S3, 000, and a munificent citizen, John 
Bertram of Salem, gave $2,000. In a population of 1,650,000 
in Massachusetts, whose savings banks alone hold §33,000,000 
of Government bonds, which would have been worthless but for 
soldiers, one liberal gentleman and one dear lady have given more 
than half of the whole sum secured. Can a one-legged soldier 
pass the Old South Church in Boston without wondering what 
constitutes " a mommient of patriotism^'" if the wounded soldiers 
of this State, who are today offered a furnished hotel for S33,000 
as a home, are not worth one-tenth of one per cent of the United 
bonds, $33,000,000, held by the savings banks alone in the State? 
Suppose that the Confederacy had conquered. Let Northern 
bondliolders reflect that if only the 1,600 wounded men in our 
Massachusetts Association alone had been paid in that " honest 



292 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

money" which bondholders naturally demand, the difference be- 
tween the greatly depreciated paper and the stipulated gold would 
be nearly ten times the sum they now implore to save the most 
deserving and anguished of their number from hungry, homeless 
misery. Are the men who charged in battle line, onl}' twelve 
years ago, subjects for a pauper's grave? 

As soon as a home is procured, among the methods for 
supporting it, an appeal will be made to the Legislature for an 
appropriation to support it ; annual subscriptions will be solicited, 
and so far as is possible the home will be made industrial and 
self-supporting. There is good reason for believing that charita- 
ble bequests will be made to it when it shall be an established 
chanty. Bequests that would have been given to such an insti- 
tution have been lost because the home was not established. I 
am happy to say that the members of the old Discharged Soldiers' 
Home and Ladies' Aid Society have already taken steps to 
reorganize as an auxiliary to our efforts. The Posts throughout 
the State are making, or have already made, systematic efforts to 
aid us by immediate contributions or annual subscription and 
guaranty funds. 

Among the methods devised for supporting this and other of 
our charities, an insurance fund embracing the whole Department 
has been projected. It is proposed that an association of all the 
members, or as many as please, shall be formed, each member 
paying into the treasury a small initial fee, of perhaps one dollar, 
and on the death of any member a further sum of five or ten 
cents, with the purpose of creating a fuud partly for the benefit 
of the family of the deceased. Many Posts have adopted this 
plan ; but the entire Department has not yet been embraced in a 
scheme which would equally inure to the benefit of individuals and 
to the Department, which feels the need of a Headquarters fund, 
and would, in the event of having a soldiers' home, absolutely 
require a better bank account than it has at present. 

Duriug the past year I have visited sixty-six towns, and met 
a much larger number of Posts. The interest manifested by 
public meetings of citizens in our proposed home is a guaranty 
of success. 

My cordial and earnest thanks are due to my colleagues, the 
Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders, the Council of Administra- 
tion, and my personal Staff, for their aid during the past year. 
I should be unjust if I did not put on record my conviction that 
the present efficient working of our machinery is due to their co- 
operation, to the able and thorough Department Inspector and 
his assistants, and to the admirable Assistant Adjutant-General. 
No one, without careful examination, can rightly estimate the 
labor of the Adjutant-General's office, and the fidelity, economy, 
and vigor with which the inspections have been conducted. To 
the Chaplain and Medical Director I offer my grateful thanks. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 293 

And now, comrades, to you I say farewell ! 

The reverence that I bear to your record in the tremendous 
past ; my respect for you as loyal citizens and heroic men ; my 
pride of having shared your baptism of fire and blood ; my 
sympathy in your labors now : all these graver feelings are 
welded with the grateful, tender, and lasting affection which your 
many kindnesses to me have called out of the depths of my 
heart. With deep emotion I thank you for your trust and confi- 
dence, and I shall proudly remember that I Eave been twice 
honored by the men who have been themselves trusted with the 
honor of Massachusetts on a hundred battle-fields of her glory, 
and whose hearts are as generous as they are brave. 

The address was well received and was applauded at several 
points. 

OTHER BUSINESS. 
The remainder of the evening session was occupied in the 
reading of the reports of the Assistant Adjutant-General, Assistant 
Quartermaster-General, Inspector, Chaplain, and Council of Ad- 
ministration ; but all the facts of public interest therein contained 
are included in the address of Commander Sargent. Among other 
matters which occupied the attention of the delegates was a propo- 
sition to form a mutual insurance company. 



ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S REPORT. 

Boston, Jan. 16, 1878. 
Commander and Comrades of the Department: 

In accordance with the requirements of Rules and Regulations 
and my .duty as Assistant Adjutant-General of this Department, 
I most respectfully submit the following report for 1877 : — 

Number of Posts Dec. 31, 1876 139 

" " Members in good standing fourth quarter, 

1876 8,786 

Number of Posts Dec. 31, 1877 136 

" " Members in good standing fourth quarter, 

1877, so far as reported 7,881 

Charters of the following Posts have been surrendered during 
the year : — 

Post 60 Whitinsville. 

" 98 Pittsfield. 

" 107 Hubbard ston. 

"130 Williamstown. 

"133 N. Attleboro. 



294 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

New charters have been granted during the year as follows ; — 

Post 100 Methuen. 

" 98 Princeton. 

The following changes in the membership of the Department 
have taken place during the year : — 

Number of members admitted by muster 678 

" " " transfer 86 

" " " reinstatement . . . 1,257 

Aggregate 2,021 

Number of members lost by death 91 

" " " honorable discharge ... 102 

" " " transfer Ill 

" " " suspension 2,234 

" " " dishonorable discharge . . 2 

Loss 2,540 

Number of rejected applicants during the year ... 27 

Amount disbursed for charity for the year ending Sept. 

30, 1877 $22,211.27 

The foregoing report is for one hundred and twenty-seven, 
that number of Posts having made complete returns for fourth 
quarter. 

There are no Posts in arrears for reports of any kind prior to 
fourth quarter 1877. 

There are a number of Posts in the Department that made 
large gains in meml)ership during the past year, and especially by 
muster-in. In this connection I desire to mention 

Post 47 having gained 35 

" 35 " " 33 

" 5 " " 23 

" 132 " " 20 

" 7, 13 and 40 having gained . . 19 each. 

" 15 having gained 18 

" 16 and 115 having gained ... 14 each, 
and particularly to the last. Post 115 of Groton, which has gained 
14, thereby adding one-third to its membership. 

The aliove results show plainly what a small amount of 
missionary work will do, and it also suggests what might be done 
in any of the towns or cities of this Commonwealth where there 
is a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

There having been more or less trouble, not only in this, but 
other Departments, regarding the delinquency of Posts in making 
their reports to Department Headquarters at the proper time, as 
required by Rules and Regulations, the Commander-in-Chief has 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 295 

taken the matter in hand and has issued a very stringent general 
order in reference to this matter, in which he places the fault 
Avhere it belongs, and proposes to hold Departments responsible 
for this delay. 

Hereafter, all Departments in arrears for reports will be 
published in General Orders. Therefore the Departments, in 
order to protect themselves, have adopted the same plan. 

It is to be hoped, for the credit of this Department, that such 
publication will not be forced upon us by the tardiness of Posts. 
The promptness with which all reports have been forwarded 
for the fourth quarter shows clearly that Post officers can be 
prompt and soldierly. The avoidance of any delay in the matter, 
together with a care that the reports are made out properly, will 
go a great Avay towards making our organization what it 
should be. 

The action of the National Encampment, at its last meeting, 
in reference to making all blanks for reports free, will reduce the 
running expenses of Posts somewhat, and possibly influence them 
to greater care, not only in making their reports, but in retaining 
a copy of every report made, which is of the utmost importance. 

In speaking of this matter of reports, I desire to refer to a 
custom that a great many Posts have fallen into : namely, that 
of sending money through the mails. It is a fact that at least 
two-thirds of all the Posts in this Department make the remit- 
tances for dues and supplies in this way. I would most strongly 
recommend that officers of Posts should avail themselves of the 
facilities afforded by express, check, money order, or registered 
letter. 

I desire to join with the Judge Advocate in a recommenda- 
tion that greater care be exercised in conducting courts-martial, 
and especially a more thorough acquaintance with and knowledge 
of Rules and Regulations. It would almost seem superfluous 
to say to a Post, "You cannot suspend Rules and Regulations." 
Yet I have heard many instances where it has been done. In 
this connection I desire to call the attention of Posts and com- 
rades to a book that your attention has been called to a number 
of times during the past eighteen months : I refer to what is 
known as the "Proceedings of National Encampment." It is a 
history of your organization, commencing Nov. 20, 1866, and 
includes all the meetings of the National Encampments for ten 
years, together with the opinions in full of the Judge Advocate- 
General on all (questions that have been submitted to him, with a 
digest of the same ; including also other matters of interest : the 
whole thoroughly indexed. 

The Council of Administration, recognizing the importance 
of this book, authorized a subscription for 100 copies, of which 
number about one-third remain unsold. The cost of the book, 



296 EARLV HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

$1.75, is very small as compared with its usefulness, as every 
Post would find ; as it would save much trouble and delay on 
questions that otherwise go to the Judge Advocate for perhaps 
the third or fourth time. 

There is still another matter that I desire to bring before 
you for consideration at this time. The questions are often 
asked, "What can be done to induce men who are eligible to 
join our organization?" and "Once they are members, what can 
be done to keep them in ? " It is a notorious fact that a great 
many comrades leave the Order honorably ; others, through mis- 
fortune and the stringency of the times, allow their membership 
to lapse unwillingly ; of others who go out from us, some give 
one reason and some another: but the fact remains the same. 

I have given this matter more or less thought. I have taken 
pains to converse with comrades in the Order, with men who 
have been members, and with others who are eligible to member- 
ship, and the universal complaint is summed up in the few brief 
words : " It is no object or benefit for me to belong to the organi- 
zation. I can join some other organization ; and if I am laid up 
or in case of death, either myself or my family get the benefit of 
it, whereas from the Grand Army of the Republic a man who was 
a soldier and don't belong gets just as much help as I do." 
Taking all these facts into consideration, I am of the opinion 
that measures should at once be taken to incorporate into our 
Department a system of mutual benefit, so that a part of the 
saying I have just quoted will be less true ; and it will be an 
object for every honorably discharged soldier or sailor, who has 
worn the blue, to be with, and of, those of us who are members 
of, and have undoubted faith in, the Grand Army of the Republic. 
I think that a beneficial organization might be formed which 
would embrace every member in good standing in the Department, 
upon the payment of an initial fee of say one dollar for member- 
ship, and then by making a pool of the whole Department upon 
the death of a comrade to which every member of the Association 
contributes the sum of say five or ten cents, which the very small- 
ness of the amount would make popular ; but the aggregate of 
these sums would result in an amount to go to the family of the 
deceased that would place them above want, and thereby relieve 
Posts from any extra calls that would otherwise be made upon them. 
But for the desire not to take too much of your valuable time I 
might elaborate and present other plans and details regarding this 
matter; but as I have taken already more time than perhaps 
belongs to me, I leave this subject to your thought, trusting that 
you will give it such consideration as you may think best. 

In closing this, my second annual report, I trust I may be 
pardoned if I have taken more time and space than are due me ; 
and especially do I wish not to be misunderstood, as what I have 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



297 



said is not ^ivcn in any spirit of fault-finding, but simply the 
result of nearly two years of observation at Headquarters — two 
years that are to me full of many pleasant memories, for which to 
you, Commander, and the Officers of this Department I beg to 
express my most grateful and heartfelt thanks for the most un- 
qualified courtesy and kindness, at all times and under all circum- 
stances. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Artjutant-GeneraL 



KEPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL FOR 

THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1877. 

RKCKIPTS. 

Cash on hand as per report of 187G $227.40 

Dues for first quarter, 1876 1-20 

second quarter, 1876 \-^^ 

third quarter, 1876 ''■\- 

fourth (inarter, 1876 /04.12 

- tirst quarter, 1877 G83.06 

" second (inarter, 1877 bt)j..^o 

third (luarter. 1877 frtao. 

Sale of hooks and blanks 404.93 

" bad-es ^'f-f^ 

" sundries ^^.40 

Total receipts %Afim.2-. 

EXPKXDITl'RES. 

Cash expended as per vouchers, including ^^27 

transferred to Soldiers' Home §4,001.06 

Cash on band ^^-^^ 

.$4,060.25 

ASSETS. 

Due from Posts for dues ^*''^!!!^!! 

])()oks and blanks (estimated), 30.00 

Value of books and blanks on hand 300.00 



Ortice furniture 



Colors 
Cash . 



175.00 
30.00 



58.59 

Total assets $1.249.59 

LI.MilMTIKS. 

Inspectors' expenses ^^io'in 

Printing *;'l^ 

By vote of Council to tlie Inspector •>O.UU 

National Head(iuarters, dues for fourth quarter . 160.00 

Books and blanks • 292.52 

Money advanced by Assistant Adjutant-General 

to pav carriaiie bills ^^'•'^" 

$798 28 

Excess of assets over liabilities . . . ^'^^^-^^ 

(Signed) E. T. RAYMOND, 

Assistant Quartermaster- (reueral. 



f 

298 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR. 

In compliauce with Section 1, Article V., By-Laws of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, I have the honor to submit my 
consolidated Report of Inspection and duplicate copy with letter 
to be forwarded to the Inspector-General of the National En- 
campment. 

In selecting my assistants I relied entirely on Post Com- 
manders for names to nominate, and everyone appointed had the 
approval of their own Commander. Thirty assistants were 
appointed in accordance with General Orders No. 6, Headquar- 
ters Department of Massachusetts, and all have attended to the 
duty but one, who resigned late in the year, and Comrade F. H. 
Butler of Post 7 was appointed in his place ; and I am desirous 
of tendering my thanks to my assistants for the prompt manner 
in which they have attended to their duties. 

Every Post in the Department has been called upon, and, 
with the exception of one, have been inspected ; and from that 
one a report was received, but the performance of the Ritual was 
not witnessed. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Whole number of members reported at dates of Inspection, 
8,281. This is a falling off from last year; but as Posts were 
inspected early, I think the gain in membership since the inspec- 
tion will bring the membership up to full number of last report. 

RITUAL. 

Generally the work of the Ritual is well performed ; but 
uniformity is needed, and in all Posts it should be committed to 
memory. 

CHARITY. 

One hundred and ten Posts have expended in charity the 
year ending Sept. 30, 1877, 822,211.27. This is a small falling 
off from last year. Posts hold charity funds to the amount of 
$38,986.16, which is also less than year previous. 

POSTS. 

Ninety Posts are reported as in good condition. 

Seventeen Posts are reported fair. 

Twelve Posts are reported poor. 

The following Posts are reported in very poor condition, 
most of which do not hold meetings, while a few meet only on 
Memorial Days: 20, 27, 102, 103, 129, 130, 50, 52, 119. Post 
136 holds informal meetings, but does not perform Ritual. I 
would call the attention of the Department to the Posts which are 
reported as not holding meetings, and would suggest that some- 
thing be done to revive them, or that the Grand Army of the 
Republic books and property in their hands be surrendered. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENfAMI'MENT. 290 

The entire cost of inspection has been Sl.50.6G. Bills of 
assistants to that amount have been approved and forwarded by 
me to the Adjutant-General. The present form of inspection to 
me seems wrong. It is impossible to get the work done alike by 
thirty assistants, and the same standard will not be used. 

If a plan could be matured, placing it in the hands of the 
Department officers, and let them make the inspections, uni- 
formity could easily be obtained, and the visits of such officers 
would be of great benefit to weak Posts. 

In conclusion I desire to acknowledge my obligations to the 
Department Commander and officers for inany courtesies ex- 
tended. 

(Signed) SAMUEL DALTON, 

Department Inspector. 



CHAPLAIN'S RErORT. 

During the past year I have made twenty addresses at 
Soldiers' Home meetings, camp-fires, and other gatherings under 
the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic. I have 
delivered four Memorial addresses — three on Decoration Day, 
at Chelsea, Spencer, and Leicester ; and one the day following at 
North Brookfield. There have been eighteen regular and special 
meetings of the Council of Administration. I have been present 
at twelve. 

Under orders from Department Commander I issued a circu- 
lar May 1, 1877, addressed to the religious organizations through- 
out the State, calling attention to the need of a Soldiers' Home 
and soliciting contributions. Fifty-three societies have responded, 
addressing the Adjutant-General's office directly; and the funds 
collected amount to a little over $1,000.20. 

The work I have been called upon to perform, I have 
regarded as an honorable privilege. From more varied and 
extensive acquaintance with comrades and Posts, I am more 
fully convinced than ever that no organization has a more con- 
spicuous claim upon the intelligent and enthusiastic regard of a 
loyal citizen than the Grand Army of the Republic. No effort 
should be deemed too considerable, no sacrifice should be regarded 
too great, to further its interests. 

It has in charge the sacred memories of the noble dead, the 
Grand Army of Heroes who have been promoted. It has in 
charge the widows and orphans Avho in faithful hearts as in holy 
shrines preserve the names of our departed comrades. 

It has in charge the brave survivors who today suffer from 
disease or wounds. It has in charge, and it alone has in charge, 
the right to set up, for the education of national conscience and 



300 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., a.A.R. 

faith, a standard of national loyalty and patriotism. It has in 
charge, by the noble record of a stainless renown, by the broad 
speech of heroic life, by an unfaltering faith in the country's 
future. It has in charge to broaden the significance of its initial 
letters G.A.R., so that Grand Army of the Republic may be 
synonymous with the Great American Republic, and to publish 
as the solemn oath of every comrade, an oath taken as before a 
soldier's grave upon our open Bible, and beneath the folds of the 
Stars and Stripes, this solemn declaration : — 

"With freedom we will live, or sleep 

With onr great dead who set us free. 
God forget us when we forget 

To keep the old Flag flying yet. 

(Signed) J. F. LOVERING, 

Chaplain Department of Massachusetts, G.A.R. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

To the Members of the Department Convention. 

Comrades : 

In accordance with Section 9, Article VI., the Council of 
Administration respectfully submits the following report of its 
doings during the past year : — 

The Council has held eighteen meetings ; average number of 
members present at each meeting, nine. 

We have carefully examined the accounts of the Assistant 
Quartermaster-General and find them correct. 

The total receipts from all sources have been . $4,060.25 

The expenditures have been 4,001.66 

Cash on hand at date $58.50 

Our predecessors in office have at several times called the 
Convention's attention to the fact, that from Posts not paying 
their dues at the time when the Rules and Regulations call for it, 
the Assistant Quartermaster-General has been obliged to borrow 
money to meet the bills of the Department. We believe that the 
time must come when such an act will be of the utmost injury, 
and we cannot urge too strongly on this Convention to take such 
action as shall render it unnecessary to borrow money hereafter. 

At the last semi-annual meeting of this Department, held in 
this city in .July last, the subject of revision of the by-laws of the 
Department were referred to the Council. 

As the Rules and Regulations provide rules of order for the 
government of the National Encampment, we would recommend 
that they be adopted and used by the Department Encampment. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 301 

Owing to the short time allowed the Assistant Adjutant- 
General to prepare his report, we would recommend that the time 
of holding the Department Convention be left to the Commander 
and Council of Administration, they to call it between the 15th 
day of January and the 1st day of February of each year. 

At the Convention of one year ago, the matter of a soldiers' 
home in INIassachusetts was referred to the Council of Adminis- 
trntion, with full power. At the first meeting of the Council, it 
was voted to refer the matter as to the net of incorporation, to a 
committee consisting of Commander Sargent, Chaplain Lovering, 
and Judge- Advocate Bailey, which Committee reported an act of 
incorporation; and Gov. A. H. Rice, ex-Gov. AVm. Gaston, and 
Attorney-General Chas. Devens were elected as trustees, with the 
present members of the Council, making the total number eighteen ; 
and the act was accepted. 

Long and earnest discussions have been held regarding this 
project ; and the Council are unanimous in their expression that 
there is need of a soldiers' home in Massachusetts for the care 
of our wounded and sick comrades ; and after several visits to 
places, and the consideration of the subject in full, the Council 
decided that it was not best to attempt the establishment of the 
Home until such a sum was raised and placed in our hands as 
would insure the payment for the home in cash. With this 
object in view, the Commander, with some of the Council, has 
attended sixty-six meetings and fairs in different parts of the 
State during the year, all of them speaking in behalf of their 
comrades. We have been met with the greatest enthusiasm, and 
the amount reported to you by Commander Sargent is no doubt 
due largely to the labor performed by them. 

In closing this report, we desire to express our :ii)pre('iation 
of the labor performed by Connnander Horace Binney Sargent 
during the past year. His untiring zeal in the work, nnd earnest 
endeavors to keep this Department in the front rank of the Grand 
Army, we believe entitle him to the respect and love of every 
comrade of the Department. 

Our associations with the Assistant Adjutant-General, both 
official and private, have been of the most pleasant character, and 
we can only add our appreciation of the labor performed by him 
to the love borne to him by every coun-ade. 

(Signed) C. C. Emery, 

John G. B. Adams, 
John McKay, Jr., 

Council of Administration. 

It was voted that the reports of the oflicers as presented be 
accepted. 



302 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Comrade Silloway of Post 94 moved, That so much of the 
Commander's Address, and that part of the report of the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General that refers to an insurance or mutual 
benefit association, be referred to a committee of five, to be 
appointed at once by the Commander, said committee to report 
at the session tomorrow. 

The motion prevailed, and the committee was announced as 
follows : — 

Jacob Silloway, Jr., of Post 94, H. E. Hill of Post 139, J. 
W. Sawyer of Post 95, G. H. Teague of Post 12, E. C. Whitney 
of Post 43. 

Comrade Perkins moved. That when this Encampment adjourn 
it be to meet at 10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow, the 17th. Comrade 
Maxfield of Post 42 offered an amendment to the above motion, 
that the hour of meeting be 9 o'clock. The vote on the amend- 
ment being doubtful, a rising vote was taken, and the count gave 
97 in favor and 52 against. 

Comrade Maxfield of Post 42 moved. That a committee of 
nine be appointed by the Commander, to report a list of candi- 
dates for Council of Administration and delegates and alternates 
to National Encampment. The following comrades were an- 
nounced as that committee : — 

J. P. Maxfield of Post 42, W. H. Eastman of Post 34, John 
Brogan of Post 57, M. B. Lakeman of Post 40, W. A. Holland 
of Post 56, P. H. Creasy of Post 49, C. T. Perkins of Post 81, 
C. B. Baldwin of Post 4, D. H. L. Gleason of Post 63. 

At 9.15 o'clock the Encampment adjourned. 



JANUARY 17. — SECOND SESSION. 

Encampment called to order at 9 o'clock a.m. by Commander 
Sargent, The Assistant Adjutant-General called the roll, and 
215 members answered their names. After prayer by Chaplain 
Lovering, it was voted that further calling of the roll be dispensed 
with. 

Voted that the reading of the records of the previous meeting 
be dispensed with ; and that a staff officer be stationed at the 
entrance to check off the names of those delegates who had not 
been previously admitted. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 303 

A telegram was received from Commander Tanner of Depart- 
ment of New York, as follows : — 

New York, Jan. 16, 1878. 
Geu. Horace Binney Sakgext. 

Comrade : To the Department of Massachusetts I extend a cordial 
fraternal greeting. Success to your Soldiers' Home enterprise. Our 
success in the same direction is assured. 

(Signed) JAMES TANNER, 

Department Commander. 

On motion of Comrade Herbert E. Hill of Post 130 it was 
voted that Commander Sargent be authorized to answer the 
despatch of Commander Tanner as he may deem best. 

Comrade Whitney, on behalf of Committee on Mutual Bene- 
fit Association, made the following report : — 

Beport of Committee on Mutual Benefit for the (t.A.R., Department of 
Massachusetts. 

Commander and Comrades: Your Committee have met, and 
if they had more time would be pleased to have made a more 
extended report. They heartily concur in the recommendation 
for a Mutual Benefit Association for the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic, believing that it will aid to carry out the object of our Order 
more minutely. We recommend such an association be formed, 
and that the whole question be referred to the Council of Adminis- 
tration, with directions to prepare a code of rules and laws with 
such recommendations as in their judgment the subject demands, 
and present the result in print to the Posts of the Department as 
soon as practicable, or within six mouths. 

(Signed) George H. Teague, 

Herbert Vj. Hill, 
E. C. Whitney, 

Committee. 

On motion of Comrade J. B. Smithers of Post 30, it was 
voted that the report of the committee be accepted and the recom- 
mendation adopted. 

Commander Hill of Post 33 brought up the subject of per- 
petuation of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Commander Small of Post 48 also spoke on the same sub- 
ject, and moved. That our delegates to the National Encampment 
be instructed to bring the matter of perpetuation of the Grand 
Army of the Republic before the National Convention. 



304 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Remarks against it were made by Comrade Filkins of Post 
15, Thompson of Post 42, and Patch of Post 142. 

Comrade Hill of Post 33 strongly advocated the proposition; 
but on motion the matter was laid on the table. 

At this point Judge Advocate A.J. Bailey obtained the floor, 
and in a short speech urged the importance of electing a com- 
mander for the ensuing year who would be thoroughly interested 
in the matter of the proposed Soldiers' Home. Commander R. F. 
Tobin of Post 30, and Thos. Plunkett of Post 28, advocated the 
re-election of Commander Sargent. Comrade J. P. Maxfield of 
Post 42 followed in opposition to the re-election of Commander 
Sargent and presented the name of Comrade Past Department 
Commander Geo. S. Merrill of Post 39, Lawrence. 

The committee to whom was assigned the duty of nominating 
candidates for Council of Administration, and delegates and alter- 
nates to National Encampment, reported through their chairman. 
Comrade Maxfield, that their committee were ready to report, but 
asked that they might be excused from making the report nntil 
after the election of officers. After considerable debate the 
previous question was ordered, and the Committee were instructed 
to make their report at once. Following is a report of the Com- 
mittee : — 

COUNCIL OV ADMINISTRATIOX. 

C. C. Emery of Post 26 

Chas. W. Slade " 7 

J. G. B. Adams " 5 

Geo. W. Creasey " 49 

Geo. H. Patch '' 142 

I)ELEGATE-AT-LARGE. ALTERNATE- AT-LARGE. 

Herbert E. Hill, Post 139 C. F. Luther, Post 79 

DELEGATES. ALTERNATES. 

M. B. Lakeman, Post 40 Arthur M. Holt, Post 39 

Albert Wood, " 10 Samuel C. AVright, " 70 

i:dmund W. Stone, " 56 C. F. Hodgkins, " 35 

Joseph O'Neil, " 46 A. L. Barrett, " 17 

P:. W. Thompson, " 42 E. G. AY. Cartwright, " 77 

J. H. Gleason, " 77 Francis Locke, Jr., " 45 

J. W. Sawyer, " 95 M. B. Merchant, " 19 

Geo. S. Evans, «' 30 C. W. Wilcox, " 22 

On motion the report of the Committee was laid on the table. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 305 

Comrade Henry B. Peirce being present in the rear of the 
hall, on motion of the Assistant Adjutant-General, it was voted 
that he be invited to a seat on the platform. 

Commander R. F. Tobin of Post 30 moved, That a com- 
mittee of five be appointed to collect, sort, and count votes for 
Department Commander. 

The following comrades were appointed as that committee : — 

R. F. Tobin of Post 30, A. B. Hodges of Post 3, J. K. 
Churchill of Post 10, M. P. Palmer of Post llo, T. L. Kelly of 
Post 15. 

Past Department Commander Geo. S. Merrill expressed his 
appreciation of the honor that had been conferred upon him in 
times past, by the Department, but at the same time declined to 
be a candidate for Department Commander. 

Pending the result of the ballot for Commander, on motion 
of Comrade C. F. Hodgkins of Post 35, it was voted that a com- 
mittee of five be appointed by the Commander to collect, sort and 
count votes for Senior Vice Department Commander. The follow- 
ing comrades were appointed as that Committee : — 

C. F. Hodgkins of Post 35, S. C. Small of Post 148, .John 
Collins of Post 6, A. H. Batchelor of Post 70, E. W. Thompson 
of Post 42. 

The names of George S. Evans, Post 30, C. C. Emery, Post 
26, and J. G. B. Adams, Post 5, were presented as candidates 
for Senior Vice Department Commander. Comrade Evans with- 
drew the use of his name, with thanks to the Department for 
honors conferred in the past. 

The Committee on ballot for Department Commander re- 
ported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast l.Sl 

Necessary for a choice ill 

Blank 1 

George S. Merrill 2 

W. S. Greenough 2 

J. G. B. Adams 3 

Horace Binney Sargent 173 

After the interest in the result of the ballot had subsided, 
Comrade Sargent expressed his appreciation of the honor con- 
ferred, and while he was in doubt as to his duty in the matter, 
he should accept the election for the third term. 
20 



306 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The Committee on Ballot for Senior Vice Department Com- 
mander reported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 190 

. . 96 
5 
74 
111 



Necessary for a choice .... 

Geo. H. Patch of Post 142 

C. C. Emery " 26 

J. G. B. Aclams " 5 



And Comrade Adams was declared elected, and he accepted the 
position. 

On motion, the Committee that had collected ballots for 
Commander were instructed to perform the same service for Junior 
Vice- Commander. The names of John A. Hawes, Post 1, and 
C. C. Emery, Post 26, were presented for that office. 

On motion, the Assistant Adjutant-General was instructed 
to cast the unanimous vote of the Encampment for W. Syming- 
ton Brown, Post 75, for Medical Director of the Department 
for the ensuing year. The duty was performed as directed, and 
Comrade Brown was declared elected. 

The Committee that had collected the vote for Senior Vice 
Department Commander were instructed to perform the same 
duty for Chaplain. 

Comrade J. F. Lovering declined to be a candidate for that 
office ; and while he thanked the comrades for the honor of two 
years' service in that capacity, he presented the name of Comrade 
William H. Savage of Post 53 as a comrade particularly fitted for 
the position. Comrade Monroe of Post 13 presented the name of 
Thomas G. Carver of that Post for Chaplain. 

While the Committee were counting the vote for Junior Vice 
Department Commander, the Assistant Adjutant-General read a 
communication from National Headquarters, accompanied by a 
bill relative to a change in the Pension Laws. On motion, the 
whole subject was referred to the new Council of Administration. 

The Committee on Ballot for Junior Vice Department Com- 
mander reported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 176 

Necessary for a choice 89 

C. C. Emery 58 

John A. Hawes 116 

And Comrade Hawes was declared elected. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 307 

It was moved by Comrade Nathan Appleton, That a Com- 
mittee of three be appointed by the chair to have full power to 
act in co-operation with a committee from the militia of IMassa- 
ehusetts in regard to giving a ball in aid of the Soldiers' Home 
in the Armory of Battery A, Boston, which armory Captain 
Appleton offers for this purpose. The motion was adopted. 

The chair appointed on the Committee Nathan Appleton of 
Post 113, George S. Merrill of Post 39, C. Frank Luther of Post 79. 

The result of the ballot for Chaplain was reported by the 
committee as follows : — 

Whole number of votes 182 

Necessary for a choice 92* 

Comrade Carter had 1 

Thomas G. Carver had 73 

AVilliam H. Savage " 98 

Comrade Savage was declared elected. 

On nomination of candidates for Council of Administration 
and delegates and alternates, the report of the committee was 
by vote of the Encampment taken from the table. Comrades 
Emery of Post 26 and Cartwright of Post 47 declined the nomi- 
nation as members of the Council of Administration. These 
declinations, together with the election of Comrade Adams as 
Senior Vice Department Commander, made it necessary to re- 
commit the report to the committee, with instructions to report 
new names for the Council, and secure, if possible, a more equita- 
ble distribution as to location of the delegates and alternates. 

The report was by vote referred back to the Committee with 
the above instructions. 

A motion to adjourn to two o'clock was lost. 

The Committee on Council of Administration and National 
Delegates and Alternates presented their amended report as 
follows : — 

1)KLEG.\TE-AT-I,ARGE. ALTERNATE-AT-LARGE. 

Herbert E. Hill Post 149 C. Frank Luther, Post 79 

DELPXiATES. ALTERNATES. 

M. B. Lakeman, Post 40 Arthur M. Holt, Post 39 

Albert Wood, " 10 S. C. Wright, " 76 

J. W. Sawyer, " 95 C. F- Hodgkins, " 35 

E. W. Thompson, " 42 A. L. Barrett, " 17 

W.A.Simmons, " 15 Amos Bartlett, " Gl 

Joseph O'Neil, " 46 Francis Locke, Jr., " 45 

G. S. Evans, " 30 B. :M. Merchant, " 19 

S. B. Spooner, " 16 C. AV. Wilcox, " 22 



308 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 



Charles W. Slade 



George H. Patch . 
George W. Creasey 
J. Frank Dalton . 
Geo. H. Howard . 



Post 7, Boston. 



" 142, S. Framingham. 
" 49, Newburyport. 
" 34, Salem. 
" 57, E. Cambridge. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General was directed to cast the 
vote of the Convention for the comrades named in the report, 
which duty was performed, and they were declared elected. 

Comrade Johnson of Post 134 offered the following resolu- 
tion, which was unanimously accepted : — 

Besolred, That the thanks of this Encampment be and the same are 
hereby extended to the Officer of the Daj% Officer of the Guard, and 
detail of comrades from Post 7, for the prompt and efficient manner in 
Avhich they have performed their duties during; this Encampment. Also, 
for the beautiful floral decorations for the Commander's table, furnished 
by comrades of same Post. 

Comrade Patch, Post 142, moved, That the Delegates from 
this Department to the National Encampment be instructed to use 
their influence in favor of a change in Sections 3 and 4, Article 
IV., Chapter V, Rules and Regulations, which refers to arrearages 
and the suspension and dropping of members, so that Posts may 
have discretionary powers, and ma>/ suspend and drop instead 
of shall suspend and drop, etc. After a short debate, on motion 
of Comrade Adams of Post 5, the whole subject was laid upon 
the table. 

The following Department officers were duly installed by 
Past Department Commander A. B. Underwood : — 

Horace Binney Sargent, Department Commander. 

John G. B. Adams, Senior Vice Dept. Commander. 

John A. Hawes, Junior Vice Dept. Commander. 

"W. Symington Brown, Medical Director. 
Charles AV. Slade, ] 

George H. Patch, Y Council of Administration. 
J. Frank Dalton, ) 
There being no further business to transact, the Encampment 

adjourned at 1.45 o'clock p.m. 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 309 



GENERAL ORDERS. 
Series of 1877. 



i77. j 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A. 
608 Washington Sthep:t, Room 

Boston, Jan. 25, IHl'i 
General Orders \ 

No. 1. ; 

I. Having been re-elected and duly installed as Commander of this 
Department for the ensuing year, I hereby assume the duties of my 
office. 

Comrades: The overwhelming vote of 203 out of 218 ballots in the 
Department Convention, by which j'ou have re-elected me to ottice, com- 
pels me to make such return as I may for your soldierly confidence by 
an earnest and honest ettbrt to serve yon again. It is for you, and not 
for nie, to say "whether you Avill depart from the custom of nc^t re-elect- 
ing those on whom you confer command. Respectfully, fraternally, 
and tenderly, I thank you for the unusual honor, and proceed at once to 
my work. 

We commence our eleventh year under good auspices. The public 
never understood us better, and they can never understand too well our 
only purposes and spirit : Fraternity to each other, the living and the 
dead; Charity in its holiest sense; and an unchanging Loyalty to one 
Flag and the whole Republic. 

A special labor of charity is before us. I earnestly solicit the 
unceasing efforts of every Post and every comrade in aid of a Soldiers' 
Home for the Grand Army in Massachusetts. The banner of the State 
must wave over a roof of our own. The grave alone must not be " The 
Soldier's Rest." 

Charity to this end must be organized. Every town must be 
awakened. The churches must be entreated, sermons must be preached; 
collections must be taken : gifts and bequests must be solicited. The 
Commonwealth is full of generous men and women, who only retpiire to 
be forcibly reminded of the destitute and wounded men who once ten- 
dered their lives for them. 

The Departnif-nt Commander and Staff desire to make a personal 
acquaintance Aviih every Post during the present year. To this end 
Posts are requested to so arrange one or more of their camp-fires as 
to combine the various Posts of any one neighborhood in the same meet- 
ing. It is also suggested that expenses might thus be shared and more 
fraternal feeling created. It is recommended that these gatherings be 
associated with a public meeting, to which the patriotic, Avarm-hearted 
citizens — women as Avell as men- — be invited. We never can forget 
their noble tenderness to us in the war ; and if we respectfully now 
invite their co-operation, they will not forget our suffering companions- 
in-arms. 



310 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



II. The Commander affectionately thanks the officers of the Staff 
for their services during the past year, and announces the following 
appointments : — 

Official Staff. 

James F. Meech of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Adjutant- 
General. 

Edward T. Raymond of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General. 

Samuel Dalton of Post 34, Salem, Inspector. 

Andrew J. Bailey of Post 11, Charlestown, Judge Advocate. 

Henry Wilson, Jr., of Post 35, Chelsea, Chief Mustering Officer. 

They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

Future orders will announce other appointments on the Staff. 

III. All official correspondence must be signed by Post com- 
manders and addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General, whose office 
hours will be as heretofore, from 10 a.m. to 12 M., and from 2 to 4 p.m., 
except on Sundays and Saturday afternoons, when the office will be 
closed. 

By order of 



HORACE BINNEY 



SARGENT, 

Commander. 



James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



ROSTER, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, G.A.R., 1877. 



Horace Binney Sargent, 
George S. Evans, 
George H. Patch, 
William S. Brown, 
J. F. Lovering, 
Cyrus C Emery, 
J. G. B. Adams, 
John McKay, Jr., 
E. G. W. Cartwright, 
C. W. Wilcox, 



Salem, Commander. 

Cambridgep't, Senior Vice-Commander. 
S.Framingh'm, Junior Vice-Commander. 



Stoneham, 

Water town, 

Boston, 

Lynn, 

Cambridgep't, 

Haverhill, 

Milford, 



Medical Director. 

Chaplain. 

Council of Administration. 



appointed. 

James F. Meech, Boston, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

608 Washington St., Room 7. 
Edward T. Raymond, Boston, Asst. Quartermaster-General. 

608 Washington St., Room 7. 
Samuel Dalton, Boston, Inspector. 

148 Pearl St. 
Andrew J. Bailey, Boston, Judge Advocate. 

61 Court St. 
Henry Wilson, Jr., Boston, Chief Mustering Officer. 

114 State St. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



311 



A. B. R. Spraa:ue, 
Arnold A. Rand, 
Emerson Stone, 
D. H. L. Xjleason, 
George H. Teague, 
Albert Wood. 
Thomas Plunkett, 
I. F. R. Rosea, 
Henry W. Briggs, 



AIDES-DE 

Worcester 

Dedham 

Spencer 

Natick 

Wakefield 

Worcester 

W. Boylston 

Med ford 

New Bedford 



•CAMP. 

G. A. Clmrchill, 
Charles H. Rust, 
A. A. Smith, 
Edwin A. Morse, 
Nathan Appleton, 
Jacob Silloway, Jr., 
W. II. Hildreth, 
George W. Creasey, 
Wm. H. Wade, 



Boston 

Springfield 

Colrain 

Worcester 

Boston 

Canton 

Peabody 

Newburyport 

Attleboro 



DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO THE NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. 



Delerjates. 

Henry B. Peirce (at large) 

J. A. G. Richardson, Lowell E. T. Colby, 

Emerson Stone, Spencer J. S. Fay, 

J. B. Lamb, Worcester William Watts, 

Arthur M. Holt, Lawrence George H. Hoyt, 



D. O. Judd, 



Springfield 



Alternates. 



W. H. Dunville (at large) 



G. C. Fiske, 
F. L. Harmon, 
W. F. Hutchins, 

F. O. Barnes, 

G. V. Bangs, 



Ashland 
W. Warren 
Dedham 

Chelsea 
Chicopee 



Abington. 

Newburyport 

Marlboro 

Taunton 

Athol 



Edmund A. Stone, 
J. F. Searle, 
H. P. Woodbury, 
George E. Burgess, 



N. Adams. 

Cambridge 

Grafton 

Beverly 

Hudson 



POSTS. 



No. 


Xame of Post. 


Commander. 


Toicn. 


Xi{/lit of Meeting. 


1 


Wm. Logau Rodman, 


Wm. G Davis, 


New Bedford, 


Wednesday. 


3 


Wm. A. Bartlett, 


A. B. Hodges, 


Taunton, 


Tuesday. 


4 


V. S. Grant, 


Moses S. Page, 


Melrose, 


Ist and 3d Tues. 


5 


Gen. Lander, 


A.J. Hoitt, 


Lynn, 


Thur.-day. 


6 


P. T. Wyman, 


J. H. Osgood, 


HoUiston, 


Tuesday. 


7 


Chas. Russell Lowell, 


John McDonough, 


Boston, 


Friday. 


8 


E. W. Pierce, 


Alfred VV. Stoddard, 


Middleboro, 


Saturday. 


9 


Reno, 


E. P. ftliles, 

(Box 297.) 


Hudson, 


Wednesday. 


10 


Geo. H.Ward, 


J. B. Lamb, 


Worcester, 


Thursdav. 


11 


Abraham Lincoln, 


Edmund C. Bradford, 


Charlestown, 


Ist and 3d Tue^. 


12 


Warren, 


W. S. Greenough, 


AVakefield, 


2d and 4th Mon. 


13 


Fletcher Webster, 


W. W. Kidder, 


Brockton, 


Thurs-day 


U 


C. C. Phillips, 


Stephen Temple, 


Woodville, 


Monday. 


15 


John A. Andrew, 


Geo. J. Hinds, 
(Custom House) 


Boston, 


Friday. 


1(5 


E. K. Wilcox, 


J. L. Knight, 


Springfield, 


2d and 4th Wed. 


17 


Gen. Sedgwick, 


R. W. Rand (P.O. 470), 


Orange, 


Alt. Friday.s. 


18 


Col. Prescott, 


Robert E. Gibson, 


Ashland, / 


Wednesday. 


1!» 


Edwin V. Sumner, 


Geo. E. Goodrich, 


Fitchburg, 


Thursdav. 


20 


H. S. Greenleaf, 


E. J. Read, 


Colrain, 


Ist and 3d Fi i. 


21 
22 


Maj. E. F. Fletcher, 


Henry J. Bailey, 


Milford, 


Wednesday. 


2.3 


.Joseph Hooker 


Chas. R. Roberts. 


East Boston, 


Tuesdav. 


24 


A. B. R.Sprague, 


J. K. Axtell, 


Grafton, 


2d and last Tues. 


2.T 


H. H. Legge, 


Ezra J. Hill, 


Uxbridge, 


1st and 3d Tues. 


26 


Thos. G. Stevenson, 


Giles H. Rich, 
(2;5S9 Washington St.) 


Boston Highlands, 


Monday. 


27 


Chas. Devens, Jr., 


Geo. H. Stevens, 


Oxford, 


Tuosdav. 


28 


Geo. D. Wells, 


E. B. Berry, 


West Boylston, 


1st andSd Wed. 


29 


F. P. IL Rogers, 


Henry E. Fisher, 


Waltham, 


2d and 4th FrL 



312 



EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



CVb. Name of Post. 

30 Win. II. Smart, 

31 Geo. W. I'erry, 

32 Washington, 

33 Burbank, 

34 Phil H. Sheridan, 

35 Theo. Wiuthrop, 



36 E. M. Stanton, 

37 F. A. Stearns, 

38 Dexter, 

39 Needham, 

40 Gen. H. G. Berry, 

41 Lyon, 

42 B. F. Butler, 

43 John A. Rawlins, 
44 

45 Col. Allen, 

4(5 Richard liorden, 

47 Maj. How, 

48 Geo. S. Boutwell, 

49 A. W. Bartlett, 

50 D. S. Kimball, 

51 Ezra Batcheller, 

52 A. B. Randall, 

53 Chas. H. Stevens, 

54 John B. Gough, 

55 I. D. Paull, 

56 Chas. Beck, 



57 P. Stearns Davis, 

58 Reynolds, 

^9 Maj. J. A. Pratt, 

60 Jesse L. Keno, 

61 Nathaniel Lyon, 

62 Chas. Ward, 

63 Gen. Wadsworth, 

64 E. D. Baker, 

65 Clara Barton, 
06 S. C. Lawrence, 

67 Allen, 

68 Benj. Stone, Jr., 



69 J. R. Rice, 

70 Geo. A. Custer, 

71 Kil Patrick, 

72 A. St. John Chambre, 

73 McPherson, 

74 Hartsuff, 

75 J. P. Gould, 

76 Collingwood, 

77 Theron E. Hall, 

78 David A. Russell, 

79 Chas. D. Sanlord, 

80 Joseph Miller, 

81 Isaac B. Patten, 

S2 John Goodwin, Jr. , 

83 J. E. Wilder, 

84 U. E. Stowell, 

85 J. W. Lawton, 

86 Henrv Wilson, 

87 Gen. S. Thayer, 

88 Paul Revere, 

89 John H. Chapman, Jr 

90 Ward, 

91 E. P. Carpenter, 

92 Francis Washburn, 

93 Ozro Miller, 

94 Revere, 



Commander. 
John B. Smithers, 
Benj. Brown, 

(Scituate Centre.) 
S. B. Crane, 
Thos. II. Hill, 
Wm. H. Eastman, 
Chas. F. Ilodgkins, 

(30 Pemberton Square, 
Boston.) 
T. VV. Sloan, 
John W. Bigelow, 
A. D. Ward, 
Daniel F. Kiley, 
Geo. W. McLaughlin, 

(43 Summer St., Boston, 
Wm. Pro V in, Jr., 
E. W. Thompson, 

E. C. Whitney, 

Francis Locke, Jr., 
Wm. O. Milne, 

D. Smith Kimball, 
(P.O. Box 896.) 

Augustus Lovejoy, 
Edmund C. Pearson, 
S. D. Hoyt, 
Sanmel Hunt, 
Wm. L. ChatUn, 
Joel A. StrattOD, 
S. C. Chamberlain, 
C. M. Cooley, 
Edmund A. Stone, 

(30 Jay St., Cambridge- 
port.) 
Geo. H. Howard, 
Benj. S. Lovell, 

(East Weymouth.) 
Geo. F. Davidson, 

F. A. Cross, 
Amos Bartlett, 
Thomas Pickthall, 
R. T. Nash, 

Wm. J. Coulter, 
L. A. Powers, 
J. Everett Pierce, 
John L. Eaton, 
James Beale, 
(39 Arch St., Boston, 
Dorchester.) 

E. P. Miller. 

A. W. Batcheller, 
E. P. Clark, 
Lysander Wood, 
J.'W. Sproul, 
Jeremiah Looby, 
M. J. Ferren, 
Christopher T. Harris, 
George Bascora, 
Andrew C. Brigham, 
W. W. Montgomery, 
Dexter Burnett, 
Charles T. Perkins, 
Joseph Gregory, 
R. C. Waterman, 
Clias. S. Babcock, 
Aram Warburton, 
Elias E. Ilavnes, 
Wm. L. Gase, 

(P.O. Box 24.) 
S. B. Turner, 
Henry P. AVoodbury, 
Charles Newhall, 
J. S. Carver, 
M. Coyle, Jr., 
Geo. R. Peirce, 
A. A. Harrington, 



Torvn. 
Cambridgeport, 
Scituate, 

South Boston, 
Woburn, 
Salem, 
Chelsea, 



Night of Meeting. 
Thursday. 
1st and ,!d Mon. 

1st and 3d Thurs. 
Tuesday. 
Tuesday. 
Thursday 



Amherst, 

Spencer, 

Brookfleld, 

Lawrence, 

Maiden, 

Westfield, 

Lovrell, 

Marlboro, 

Gloucester, 
Fall River, 
Haverhill, 

Ayer, 

Newbury port, 
Townsend, 
North Brookfleld, 
North Easton, 
Leominster, 
Berlin, 
Taunton, 
Cambridge, 



East Cambridge, 
Weymouth, 

Sterling, 

Whitinsville, 

Webster, 

Newton. 

Natick, 

Clinton, 

Warren, 

Medford, 

Manchester, 

Boston, 

Westminster, 

Millbury, 

Holyoke, 

Stoughton, 

Abington, 

Rockland, 

Stoneham, 

Plymouth, 

Holden, 

South Abington, 

North Adams, 

South Had ley, 

Watertown. 

INIarblehead, 

Hanover, 

South Deerfield, 

Ware, 

Maynard, 

Braintree, 

Quincy, 

Beverly, 

Dan vera, 

Foxboro, 

Brighton, 

Shelburne Falls, 

Canton, 



2d Tuesday. 
1st and 3d Thurs. 
1st and 3d Tues. 
Wednesday. 
1st and 3d Thurs. 

2d Tuesday. 

Thursday. 

Tuesday. 

Thursday. 

Tuesdaj'. 

Tuesday. 

1st Thursday. 

Friday. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

Thursday. 

2d Mondav. 

2d and 4th Thurs. 

1st and 3d Mon. 

3d Monday. 

Monday. 



Wednesday. 
Alt. Tuesdays. 

1st Saturday. 

2d and 4th Wed. 

2d and 4th F"ri. 

1st and 3d Thurs. 

Tuesdav. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

1st and 3d Wed. 

2d and 4th Tues. 

Friday. 

Ist and 3d Tues. 



Alternate Sat. 

Thursday. 

Tuesdav. 

1st and"3d Tues. 

Wednesday. 

INIouday. 

Monday. 

Wednesday. 

1st Saturday. 

Tuesday. 

Friday, 

Alternate Sat. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

Thursday. 

Last Tuesday. 

Friday. 

2d and 4th Wed. 

1st Thursday. 

2d and 4th F"ri. 

Tuesday. 

Thursday. 

Monday. 

2d and 4th Tues. 

1st and 3d Mon. 

Tuesday. 

2dandlastThur. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



313 



2fo. Name of Post. 

95 Gen. E. W. Hiucks, 

96 Northboro, 

97 E. J. Griggs, 



!(9 
100 
101 
102 
103 
104 

105 
10(j 
107 
108 
109 
110 
111 



Calvin Cutter, 

Charles Sumner, 
J. C. Eilniands, 
Otis Chapman, 
E. Humphrey, 

Wilder Dwight, 



Everett Peabody, 

Ericsson, 

Capt. Horace Niles, 

Jos. E. Simmons, 



112 D. Willard Robinson, 

113 E. AV. Kinsley, 

lU Col. C. R. Mudge, 

115 E. 8. Clark, 

11(5 D. G. Farragut, 

li; Moses Ellis, 

118 James L. Bates, 

lit Geo. C. Meade, 

12) E. E. Day, 

121 H. A. Darling, 

122 E. P. Wallace, 

123 Parker, 

124 Justin Dimick, 

125 N. B. Shurtletf, Jr., 



126 Geo. E. Sayles, 

127 T. L. Bonney, 

128 

129 Swift, 

130 E. P. Hopkins, 

131 Geo. H. Thomas, 

132 G. M. Dodge, 
\m P. M. Whiting, 

134 Robt. A. Bell, 

135 E. A. Andrews, 

136 Geo. C. Marshall, 
137 

138 

139 W. C. Kinsley, 

140 
141 

142 D. B. Eames, 

143 C. L. Chandler, 



144 Chas. W. Carroll, 

145 Wm. A. .Streeter, 

146 R. G. Shaw, 
147 

148 A. D. Weld, 

149 Maj. Geo. L. Stearns, 
1.50 

151 Maj. Boyd, 



Commander. 

C. H. Mansfield, 

F. M. Harrington, 

Thomas Dewey, 

(P.O. Box 153.) 

F. L. Harmon, 
R. H. Shiels, 
L. H. Hopkinson, 
C. S. Smith, 
A. O. Kinney, 
E. T. Bouve, 



Saugus, 

Northboro, 

Bclchertown, 



West Warren, 

Walthani, 

Groveland, 

Billerica, 

Chicopee, 

Hingham, 



(P.O. Hingham Centre.) 
D. S. Woodman, West Medway, 



Fred M. Edgell, 
Joel Whitney, 
Galen Hollis, 
H. C. Sampson, 

(Pembroke Centie ) 
W. C. Litchfield, 
Nathan Appleton, 

(10 Commonwealth Ave 
Daniel L. Getchell, 
M. P. Palmer, 
E. P. Brown, 
P. C. Grover, 
John K. Merritt, 
L. G. Babcock, 
Chas. R. Lowell, 
Richard F. Boynton, 
John O. Currier, 
Charles Grey, 
L. F. Gammons, 
John A. Mackie, 

(300 Washington St., 
Boston.) 
John Courtney, 
JoHiah G. Cook, 

(North Hanson.) 

W. H. Tallman, 

Geo. F. Parker, 
W. R. Armstrong, 

Isaac S. Mullen, 

(5 .Anderson Place.) 
Henry Harlow, 
C. H. Wesson, 



W. E. Halliday, 



Geo. H. Patch, 
Wm. B. Sears, 
(85 Devonshire St., 
Boston.) 
David L. Hodges, 
Wm. H. Goff, 
George Delevan, 

S. C. Small, 

(Box 912, Boston.) 



(Georgetown, 
East Templeton, 
Randolph, 
Pembroke, 

South Scituate, 
Boston, 
■ ) 

Merrimac, 
Groton, 

South Gardner, 
Medfield, 
Swampscott, 
Lexington, 
Greentield, 
Hyde Park, 
Amesbury, 
Athol, 

East Biidgewater, 
South Boston, 



South Adams, 
Hanson, 



Somerset, 

Williarastown. 

Leicester, 

Peabody, 

North Attleboro, 

Boston, 

Shrewsbury, 
Rutland, 



Somcrville, 



So. Framingham, 
Brookline, 



O. Warren, 



Dedham, 
Attleboro, 
New Bedford, 

Winchester, 

Charlestown, 

West Newburv, 



Night of Meeting. 
Monday. 
1st Monday. 
1st Monday. 



2d and 4th Fri. 
Tuesday. 
Thursday. 
Last Saturday. 
Thursday. 
1st Thursday. 

1st Thursday. 



2d and last Tues. 
Last Friday. 
1st Friday. 
1st and 3d Sat. 

2d and last Mon. 
Alt. Mondays. 

1st and. 3d Fri. 
Alt. Saturdays. 
Wednesday.' 
2d Monday. 
Monday. 
2d Wednesday. 
1st and 3d M'ed. 
.3d Monday. 
Monday. 
Thursday. 
1st Thu^^dav. 
1st and 3d Wed. 



Tuesday. 
1st Monday. 



1st Weilnesday. 

2d and 4th Tues. 
Monday. 

2d and 4th Wed. 

Last Tuesday. 
1st Saturday. 



1st, 2d and 3d 
Wednesdays 



.Saturday. 
Alt. Weds. 



2d and 4th Fri. 
2d and 4th Mon. 
3d Thursday. 

1st and .'id Tues. 



2d and 4th Sat. 



314 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept 
608 Washington 

Boston 



OF Mass., G.A.R., ^ 
Street, Room 7. >■ 
IN, March 20, 1877. j 



General Orders) 
No. 2. f 

I. The following comrades are announced upon the Staff of the 
Commander, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 



AIDES-DE-CAMP. 



A. B. R. Sprague, Worcester. 
Arnold A. Rand, Dedham. 
Emerson Stone, Spencer. 
I). H. L. Gleason, Natick. 
Geo. H. Teague, Wakefield. 
Albert Wood, Worcester. 
Thos. Plunkett, West Boylston. 
I. F. R. Hosea, Medford. 
Henry W. Briggs, New Bedford. 



G. A. Churchill, Boston. 
Charles H. Rust, Springfield. 
A. A. Smith, Colrain. 
Bdwiu A. Morse, Worcester. 
Nathan Appleton, Boston. 
Jacob Silloway, Jr., Canton. 
W. H. Hildreth, Peabody. 
Geo. W. Creasey, Newburyport. 
Wm. H. Wade, Attleboro. 



II. A list of the oflicers elected at the annual Encampment of this 
Department at Boston, January 17 and 18, appears in the Roster accom- 
panying this order. 

III. By resolve of the Council of Administration, this Department 
has subscribed for one hundred copies of the " Proceedings of all the 
National Encampments, Avith decisions of the Judge Advocate-General." 
This book is very valuable for reference, and a copy should be owned by 
every Post. Price, $1.75 per copy, in half roan binding; 15 cents extra 
if sent by mail. 

IV. In accordance with General Orders No. 6, from National Head- 
quarters, a new national countersign is herel)y promulgated to all Posts 
in good standing. After reading the countersign, 'uhe"Key" will be 
returned to these Headquarters at once. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James E. Meeoh, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
608 Washington Stkep:t, Room .7, 
Boston, April 30, 1877. 
General Orders \ 

No. 3. / 

The Grand Army of the Republic will celebrate Wednesday, May 30, 
1877, as Memorial Day. 

The Posts of this Department will place the annual offering of 
grateful affection and reverent memory on the soldierly graves of 
Massachusetts. The presence of the entire command of each Post, in 
honor of those who have passed through the agony of glory, is due to 
our comrades dead, and will be more impressive than the most extrava- 
gaat display of the florist's art. The spirit sanctifies the humblest flower. 
Gratitude and love arc more than sacrifice. 

Time, which eft'aces the scars of civil war, makes the graves of its 
martyrs more sublime ; for returning peace and prosperity will demon- 
strate the priceless value of their agony in a nation purified, two hostile 
armies reunited, and one transcendent flag revered. If we neglect the 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 315 

heroic dead, a few years, which will place us by their side, will make us 
also know the bitterness of being forgotten by those Aviioni our blood 
has helped to save. While we live, let us celebrate, with wreaths and 
martial music, their loyalty to liberty and the inalienable rights of 
mankind. 

This solemn, tender, and triumphal service to those whose happi- 
ness is beyond our care, should l)e so conducted as to force upon the 
public mind the importance of providing for those comrades who remain 
and who are dying of poverty, illness, and reopened wounds. For these 
a soldiers' home in Massachusetts must be established. Gratitude to 
our disabled veterans demands a place of rest this side of the grave. 
One tithe of the sum required to preserve a historic monument -of the 
patriotism of our fathers will preserve from anguish many hundred 
shattered monuments of the patriotism of their not less heroic sons. 
The tears of the nation are not yet dry. The hearts of the people are 
still grateful and Avarm. The mutilated survivors of a recent war, to 
whose twenty-eight hundred fights the battles of the Revolution were 
but skirmish tire, nuist not stand on the curbstone and beg their bread, 
as outcasts, under the shadow of the not more grandly heroic Old South 
Church — if monuments of patriotism be really worth preserving. A 
generous or just public will not refuse fifty thousand dollars for a 
soldiers' home, in the very Commonwealth that retains and exhibits, as 
a monument to her glory, two hundred and sixty-nine of their beloved 
and battle-frayed standards yet crimsoned with blood of these appealing 
men, who never lost a State banner and who brought these battle flags 
home. 

The necessity of immediate combined action suggests that every 
Post Commander at once organize a soliciting committee of comrades 
or patriotic citizens to canvass his neighborhood for subscriptions to 
purchase a " Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts, under the auspices of the 
Grand Army of the Repul)lic " ; that the aid of patriotic women be most 
respectfully entreated ; that the local clergymen be fervently implored to 
preach and to take up a collection in aid of this object, on the Sabbath 
preceding or following the coming Memorial Day ; that a public meeting 
be called for the evening of Wednesday, May 30, 1877 (Memorial Dayf] 
in each town, for the purpose of presenting to our charitable fellow- 
citizens — both men and women — the pressing necessity of immediate 
assistance towards the purchase of a soldiers' home, now ready fur- 
nished and awaiting only the funds. Contributions or subscriptions 
should be then and there solicited from a grateful people for the fund, 
which is to be held by a board of trustees, consisting of His Excellency^ 
Alexander H. Rice, Hon. William Gaston, Maj.-Gen. Charles Devensi 
Attorney-General United States, and the otticers and Council of Adminis- 
tration of this Department. Revive the memory of a substitute's value. 

Comrades: If Charity, Fraternity, and Loyalty are not empty 
words, we must act in concert, and at once. The companions of our 
m^arches are suttering too much, and dying of neglect too fast, to permit 
delay. 

Commanders of Posts will, as soon as possible, report their action 
and its success to these Head([uarters. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



)M 7, [ 
[, 1877. J 



316 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dert. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 
General Orders \ Boston, May 4, 

No. 4. i 

I. Commanders of Posts are reminded that general orders and 
circulars sent to them are intended for the Post, and should be read at 
the first Post meeting after reception, and then properly filed with the 
Post papers. 

II. All Post commanders who have not complied with the last 
clause of Section 4, General Oi'der No. 2 (C.S.), relating to the return of 
the KEY, will do so at once. 

III. Attention is called to the circular enclosed, in reference to 
the new badge. Requisitions should be forwarded at once if the badges 
are needed for Memorial Day. In accordance witli a rule adopted by 
National Headquarters, badges must be paid for wlien they are ordered. 
Therefore, all Posts that have ordered badges should forward funds to 
pay for the same immediately ; and all future orders must be accompanied 
by" the money. Otherwise they will be filled by express, C.O.D. The 
price of badges to Posts will be seventy-five cents each, with six cents 
additional if sent by mail. 

IV. All Posts or Comrades Avho have ordered copies of the 
" Printed Proceedings of the National Encampment," are notified to 
forward the price, $1.75, at once, with fifteen cents extra if sent by mail. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James E. Meecii. Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A^R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 
Boston, May 1, 18 



R.,1 

77.1 



Circular. , , ^ ,, • 

Beverend and Dear Sir: I appeal to you to help a most worthy 
cause. A score of years has not yet passed since the integrity of our 
National Union was threatened Avith disruption. The valor and patriot- 
ism of our loyal soldiery saved it. Many who composed that soldiery 
died on the field of battle, in hospital, or, after long suflering, froni 
disease and wounds, in scattered homes. We cherish their memories. 
On every recurring Decoration Day we seek to celebrate and perpetuate 
their renown. This is well; but there is something better. Let us 
honor the dead by our care of the living. The Roman orator not only 
expressed his own conviction, but also that of every true patriot, when 
he said, "It behooves a grateful people to reward these citizens who 
have deserved well of the republic." The maimed, the sick, and the 
unfortunate of those Avho once fought bravely for the nation, claim our 
service. They are our charge. With generous sympathy we should 
help their need. We owe them care and protection, not as a charity, but 
as an act of justice. 

No organization represents them more fully than the Grand Army 
of the Republic. That organization seeks to secure and support, in this 
brave and patriotic State, a soldiers' home. This can be done only by 
the liberal and loving assistance of men and Momen who have not 
forgotten. 

In the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, we earnestly 
solicit your aid. We would respectfully suggest that, on Sunday, May 



TWELFTH ANNTAL ENCAMPMENT. 317 



27, or on Sunday, June 3, you deliver a discourse in -wliicli you may call 
attention to our sutt'ering comrades, and ask the people to contribute 
according; to their ability. Let their appreciation of the soldiers' heroic 
sacrifice have expression in a soldiers' home. 

Whatever funds may thus be raised will be held ])y a board of 
trustees, consisting of His Excellency Alexander H. Rice, lion. William 
Gaston, ]\Iaj. -Gen. Charles Devens, Attorney-General United States, and 
the Otlicers and Council of Administration of this Department. All 
remittances may be sent by check to the order of Edward T. Raymond, 
Assistant Quartermaster-General, GU8 AVashington Street (Room 7), 
Boston. 

With much respect, 

Very truly yours, 

J. F. LOVERING, 

ChaplaUi Department of Massac It nsetts and Chaplain- in- Chief, G.A.R. 
Approved: HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Please read this Circular to vour congregation. 



Headquakteks Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
G08 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders ) Boston, July 14, 1877. 

No. 5. / 

I. The Semi-annual Encampment of this Department will be held 
at eleven o'clock a.m., on Wednesday, the fifteenth day of August next, 
at Amory Hall (corner of Washington and West Streets), Boston. The 
representation will be by the same delegates, but at the same ratio, 
(based on the reports for the quarter ending June 30), as in the last 
Annual Encampment. 

Post Commanders must remember that the rule excluding from 
representation Posts which are in arrears for reports, is imperative, and 
will be strictly enforced. 

II. The Commander of Post 15 will detail an Officer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard and six comrades, for guard duty during the 
Encampment. 

III. The attention of Post Commanders is called to Section 1, 
Article II., Chapter V., General Rules. Rules and Regulations regarding 
the reporting of the names of all comrades in good standing who have 
held the position of Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice-Commander-in- 
Chief, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief or Department Commander. 

********* 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



318 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washinc 



> Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"! 

ngton Street, Room 7, >■ 

Boston, Aug. 1, 1877. J 



General Orders) 
No. 6. / 

I. The following comrades are hereby appointed Assistant In- 
spectors for the Districts named, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly : — 

District No. 1, 1. W. Derby, Charlestown : Posts 23, 68, 113, 125, 134 
" 2, W. H. Warner, East Boston : Posts 7, 11, 15, 32, 35. 
" 3, J. F. Dalton, Salem : Posts 5, 45, 67, 89, 90. 
" 4, W. E. Redman, Lynn : Posts 34, 82, 95, 118, 132. 
" 5, S. C. Parsons, Lawrence: Posts 42, 49, 100, 101, 

102, 108. 
•• 6, T. Talbot, Newburyport: Posts 39, 47, 114, 122, 151. 
" 7, G. E. Filkins, Boston : Posts 26, 56, 92, 143, 149. 
" 8, M. C. Beedle, Cambridge : Posts 30, 33, 57, 139, 148. 
" 9, A. P. Barrett, Woburn : Posts 4, 12, 40, 66, 75. 
" 10, G. P. Clark, Newton : Posts 29, 62, 81, 119. 
" 11, W. n. Brown, Holliston : Posts 14, 18, 63, 142. 
" 12, J. F. Dolan, Hudson : Posts 9, 43, 86, 96. 
" 13, D. A. Patridge, West Medway : Posts 6, 22, 105, 117. 
" 14, W. W. Scott, Worcester: Posts 10, 24, 70, 77, 

135, 136. 
" 15, A. S. Davidson, Clinton : Posts 28, 54, 59, 64. 
" 16, E. P. Morton, Webster : Posts 25, 27, 61. 
" 17, T. J. Ames, Leominster : Posts 19, 48, 50, 53, 69, 115. 
" 18, E. J. Gushing, South Gardner : Posts 17, 109, 116, 123. 
" 19, G. R. Ladd,l?pencer : Posts 37, 38, 51, 131. 
" 20, C. E. Woodward, Ware : Posts 65, 85, 97, 99. 
" 21, C. L. Moody, South Hadley : Posts 16, 44, 71, 80, 103. 
" 22, W. W. Foster, South Deerfleld : Posts 20, 36, 84, 

93, 120. 
" 23, G. H. Kearns, Braytonville : Posts 79, 126, 130. 
" 24, W. L. Gage, Braintree : Posts 58, 73, 87, 88, 104. 
" 25, H. C.Sampson, Pembroke : Posts31, 83, 111, 112, 127. 
" 26, J. A. Whelan, East Weymouth : Posts 13, 74, 76, 124. 
" 27, T. S. Atwood, Abington : Posts 8, 52, 78, 110. 
" 28, H. C. Bonney, Dedham : Posts 72, 91, 94, 121, 144. 
" 29, Fred Thayer, Taunton : Posts 3, 55, 145. 
" 30, Wm. Saunders, New Bedford : Posts 1, 46, 129, 146. 

II. Acting Assistant Inspectors are hereby relieved from further 
duty, with the thanks of tlie Department Commander for their services, 
and all orders inconsistent with the foregoing appointments are hereby 
annulled. 

III. So much of Paragraph 1, General Orders No. 5 (C.S.), as is 
contained in the following words : " But at the same ratio, based on the 
reports for the (luarter ending June 30," is hereby revoked, so that it 
will read as follows : " The representation Avill be by the same delegates 
as in the la«t annual Encampment." 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT, 319 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders) Boston, Aug. 3, 1877. 

No. 7. I 

The City Government of Boston, having formally invited this De- 
partment of the Grand Army of the liepublic to participate in the cere- 
monies attending tlie dedication of the Army and Navy Monument, a 
grand parade of all the Posts of this Department is herebj' ordered at 
Boston on Monday, the seventeenth day of September next. 

The hour and place of assembly, Avith all details, will be announced 
in future Orders. The organization Avill be by counties, as at the last 
Department parades. Counties Avill organize at once, and present the 
names of commanders to these Headquarters for approval. 

The courtesy of the City Government of Boston has been so fully mani- 
fested by their arrangements for the honor and comfort of the Grand Army 
and the occasion Avill be so fitting to exhibit the strength and discipline of 
our Order, Avhich never stood higher in the regard of our fellow citizens 
than at this hour, Avhen there might have been grave cause for our mem- 
bers to recollect their oaths and manifest their veteran loyalty to law, 
that the Commander feels it hardly necessary to urge the presence of 
every member of every Post at the ensuing parade. No other pageant of 
this century will ofl'er to us such an opportunity of testifying the rever- 
ence of this association for our comrades dead, the veterans by land and 
pea, who have covered the capital of our Commonwealth Avith glory. 
Representing every arm of the service, every regiment and battery that 
went out to battle from this old city, our column, with its sixteen hun- 
dred wounded men, embodies all grand memories of loyalty in war; and 
only the large masses of our organization, in peace, permanently devoted 
to the cause of loyalty and charity, can most effectively impress the public 
mind with the paramount duty of charity to the living, and reverence for 
the dead. Only lionorably discharged veterans are admitted to the ranks 
of our Order, Avhich includes as a private comrade the ex-President, chief 
of all our armies. 

Every Post Commander will at once report to these Headquarters 
how many marching men he will have in line on the seventeenth of Sep- 
tember, and how many disabled comrades will attend, that carriages, 
bands, badges, and rations may be provided. 

Comrades : This is the last parade that we shall ever make alto- 
gether through the streets of Boston. Let it be the largest, that the 
Grand Army of the Republic, with its soldierly service of the past and 
its loyal, charitable purposes of the future, may never be forgotten by 
this generation. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
GOB Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \ Bo.ston, Sept. 11, 1877. 

No. 8. / 

In accordance with General Orders No. 7 from these Head<iuarters, 
the following details are announced for the parade of the seventeenth of 
September, 1877: — 

This Department of the Grand Army of the Republic Avill constitute 
the first grand division, and will form promptly at nine o'clock a.m. in the 



320 KARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 



order given below, on the east side of Tremont Street, Boston, witli the 
right resting at Boylston Street, making a continuous line, facing west 
and extending southerly through Tremont Street, towards Chester Square, 
to receive rations and witness the passage of the Massachusetts Volun- 
teer Militia, which acts as escort of the colunm. 

The Grand Army Posts of Suftblk, Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, and 
Essex Counties, in the order named, will constitute the first subdivision, 
under the command of Comrade George S. Evans, Senior Vice-Com- 
mander, whose headquarters will be at the corner of Tremont and 
Boylston Streets, where Posts of the first subdivision will report 
promptly on arrival. 

The Grand Army Posts of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berk- 
shire, Franklin, and Middlesex, in the order named, will constitute the 
second subdivision, under the command of Conn-ade George H. Patch, 
.Tunior Vice-Commander, whose headquarters will be at the corner of 
Tremont and Dover Streets, Avhere Posts of the second subdivision will 
report promptly on arrival. 

The following counties having organized and elected commanders, 
the same are approved and will be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 
Comrade Henry R. Sibley, Sufl'olk. 

" T. S. Atwood, Plymouth. 

" Edwin Dews, Bristol. 

" J. P. Jordan, Norfolk. 

" J. Frank Dalton, Essex. 

'■' William F. Draper, Worcester. 

" George H. Copeland, Middlesex. 

The Posts of the Counties of Hampshire, Hampden, Berkshire, and 
Franklin will be attached to the command of Worcester County. 

Posts will assemble at the above-mentioned time and place, and be 
immediately assigned to their proper position in line by County Com- 
manders. A guidon will be placed at the proper point to indicate the 
right of each County. 

Barges for invalids will be stationed at the intersection of Tremont 
Street and Shawmut Avenue, and will in the march follow the rear of 
the first subdivision. Each invalid intending to ride will apply to his 
Post Commander for a ticket, and will report at the barges. 

All railroads centering in Boston have consented to grant half fare 
to Posts coming in uniform, and to their musicians. 

The arrangement as to trains, their arrival and departure, whether 
regular or special, will be left exclusively to Posts. 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjiitant- General . 



3t.A.R.,) 

)M 7, >- 
J, 1877. J 



[To he substituted for General Orders No. S.] 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 

608 Washington Street, Room 

Boston, Sept. 13, 

General Orders \ 

No. 8. / 

In accordance with General Orders No. 7 from these Headquarters, 
the following details are announced for the parade of the 17th of 
September, 1877 : — 

The Headquarters of this Department will be at the junction of 
Tremont and Boylston Streets after 9.30 a.m., until the column moves. 



TAVELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 321 



This Dopartment of the Grand Arra.v of the Republic will consti- 
tute the tirst iirand division, and will form promptly at nine o'clock 
A.M., in the ortler given below, on the east side of Tremont Street, Bos- 
ton, with the right resting at Boylston Street, making a continuous 
line, facing west and extending southerly through Tremont Street, 
towards Chester Square, to receive rations and witness the passage of 
the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, which acts as escort of the column. 

During thi^ passage of the escort, the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic will stand steadily at attention ; and by express order, no salute by 
ollicer or man is to lie paid to any one. 

The signal for the command " attention" will be given by one gun, 
at eleven o'clock. 

The Grand Army Posts of Suftblk, Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, and 
Essex Counties, in the order named, will constitute the first subdivi- 
sion, under the connnand of Comrade George S. Evans, Vice-Commander, 
whose Headquarters will be at the corner of Tremont and Boylston 
Streets, whei-e Posts of the first subdivision will report promptly on 
arrival. 

The Grand Army Posts of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berk- 
shire, Franklin, and Middlesex, in the order named, will constitute the 
second subdivision, under tlie command of Comrade George H. Patch, 
Junior Vice-Commander, whose Headquarters Avill be at the corner of 
Tremont and Dover Streets, where Posts of the second subdivision will 
report promptly on arrival. 

The following Counties having organized and elected Commanders, 
the same are approved and will be obeyed and respected accordingly •• — 
Comrade Henry R. Sibley, Suttblk. 

^' T. S.'Atwood, Plymouth. 

" Edwin Dews, Bristol. 

" J. P. Jordan, Norfolk. 

" Charles H. Chase, Essex. 

" William F. Draper, Worcester. 

" George H. Copeland? Middlesex. 

The Posts of the Counties of Hampshire, Hampden, Berkshire, and 
Franklin will be -attached to the command of Worcester County. 

Posts will assemble at the above-mentioned time and place, and be 
immediately assigned to their proper position in line by County Com- 
manders. A guidon will be placed at the proper point to indicate the 
right of each County. 

The Command will move by columns of platoons of eight files 
front with a guide; and unless otherwise ordered or to pass obstacles, 
will retain this formation throughout the parade, preserving wheeling 
distance ; and no marching salute will be paid to anyone, unless it 
should be announced that His Excellency, the Governor, Avill receive 
such a salute as the column passes the State. House. In case of such 
event, of which notice will be given on or before the march, the highest 
honors will be paid by otlicers, bands, drum corps, and standards; but 
men in ranks must he cautioned not to salute while marching. 

Barges for invalids will be stationed at the intersection of Tremont 
Street and Shawmut Avenue, and Avill in the march follow the rear of 
the first subdivision. Each invalid intending to ride will apply to his 
Post Commander for a ticket, and will report at the barges. 

All railroads centering in Boston have consented to grant half fare 
to Posts coming in uniform, and to their musicians. 

The arrangement as to trains, their arrival and departure, whether 
regular or special, will be left exclusively to Posts. 

By order of 
Jamks F. Ukfaii. HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Assiatant Adjutant-General. Cunimander. 

21 » 



322 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders \- Boston, Nov. 10, 1877. 

No. 9. ( 

The Posts of this Depai'tmeut are heartily cougratnlated on the 
success of their soldierly parade of September 17. The returns show 
that there were six thousand seven hundred and nineteen men in the 
Grand Army Division. 

The Commander gratefully thanks the command for their successful 
efforts to aid him in impressing the public mind with the numbers of 
our Association, and the just claims of the gallant men who have borne 
the battle-flags of Massachusetts, and who now cherish with tender 
solicitude their suffering comrades, and the widows and orphans of those 
who have died in her defense. Comrades : As you marched with the 
old army swing, the tears and cheers of the people showed you that 
their great, warm heart had not forgotten. Let it never forget while 
one of our sixteen hundred wounded men, or of our thousands of 
veterans survive. Stimulate this memory to practical, active sympathy. 

Each Post is desired to choose at once a committee of soldiers and 
citizens, to canvass their town and entreat immediate subscriptions for 
the purchase of a soldiers' home, now attainable at sixty per cent less 
than cost, ready furnished for immediate occupancy, and which is to be 
partially supported by light industrial pursuits of the inmates. Every 
care must be taken that no unworthy agent be authorized to receive 
money. A single mistake may create such public distrust as to paralyze 
our efforts. 

The example set by Post 7 of Boston is recommended. That Post, 
by recent vote, contributes a certain sum to the purchase, and guaran- 
tees an annual subscription of fifty dollars for the support of a 
soldiers' home. Such subscriptions, Avith annual subscribers among 
the citizens, and an appropriation by the Legislature of the State, are 
among the means proposed for maintaining the institution. 

Vigorous, concerted action now, is a duty to the suffering men 
who have marched Avith us, and stood by us in the trying hours of the 
immortal past. If only one person in forty throughout this State Avill 
give one dollar, our old flag can fly this winter over a soldiers' home in 
Massachusetts. Can it be possible that a people which readily gave one 
thousand dollars for a substitute in the day of their fear, will be utterly 
deaf, in the hour of safety, to the call of gratitude? 

Comrades, make a charge along the whole line and offer to your 
fellow-citizens the privilege of giving, or, if they choose, refusing a 
dime to shelter the agonized men, to whom they owe the fact that they 
themselves have any homes and flresides today. Entreat alms in the 
blessed name of charitJi, though this trifling payment for a service 
that has left disease and anguish as a "monument of patriotism," is a 
debt of conscience — a duty of religious gratitude. On your knees, if 
need be, implore the assistance of the patriotic women of the land. 

Ettbrt will insure a resi)onse. Post 53 of Leominster, a town of 
but five thousand inhabitants, has raised nearly six hundred dollars ; and 
Hanover, a town of eiiihteen hundred people, has raised by a fair, nearly 
twelve hundred dollars, net, for a soldiers' monument and the home. 
In the face of such examples, the Grand Army of the Republic may 
compel success. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



TWELFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 323 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
General Orders "I Boston, Nov. 12, 1877. 

No. 10. i 

I. The attention of Post Commanders is called to the necessity of 
absolute promptness in making their reports on the first days of January, 
April, July and October. General Orders No. 5 from the Commander-in- 
Chief demands immediate attention. The neglect of some Post Com- 
manders is endangering the soldierly standing of this Department. 

The delay in sending in promptly at the due time the reports which 
require but thirty minutes to make out, is inexcusable; and to avoid the 
unjust disgrace of this Department and its many prompt Post Command- 
ers, the burden of unsoldierly neglect Avill be placed where it belongs. 
Henceforth, delinquent Posts in Massachusetts, with the names of their 
Post Commanders, will be published in General Orders, to l)e issued 
throughout this Department and transmitted to National Headquarters. 
* * * *.* * * * * 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjiitant-Oeneral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass , G.A.R., 
608 Washington Street, Room 7, 
Gener.\l Orders) Boston, Nov. 22, 1877. 

No. 11. i 

I. Comrade Frank H. Butler of Post 7 is hereby appointed Assist- 
ant Inspector for District No. 1, vice I. W. Derby resigned. He will 
be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

li. The attention of commanders and surgeons of Posts is called 
to Circular No. 1, from the Surgeon-General's office, dated Oct. 1, 1877, 
Avhich has been forwarded to Posts. Blanks of Form F, on which the 
annual report is to be made, are herewith inclosed. This report must 
accompany the Adjutant and Quartermaster's reports for fourth quarter, 
1877. Only those wounded comrades are to be reported who were omitted 
last year, and those Avho have been admitted this year. A copy of this 
report must be retained in the Medical Descriptive Book of the Post. In 
case a Post has no wounded comrades to report, the blank F will be re- 
turned to these Headquarters so endorsed. 

III. Posts must bear in mind that the first meeting in December is 
the time appointed for the election of Post officers and representatives to 
the Department Encampment. A l)lank is herewith inclosed on which 
Posts are to make the return of election of Post Commanders and dele- 
gates and alternates. The following resolution, adopted at the annual 
meeting of this Department, held in Boston, Jau. 17 and 18, 1877, is pub- 
lished for the information of Posts : — 

" JResoIved, That in the future, the basis of representation by Posts 
to the Department EncamiMuent, shall be determined by the number re- 
ported in good standing on the reports for the quarter ending September 
30." The basis of representation remains as heretofore. 

IV. The order announcing Mustering Officers will be issued early 
in December, and the Chief will be governed by the wishes of Posts in 
their selection, when practicable. Recommendations must be forwarded 
on or before December 30. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



324 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 

53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 

Boston, Dec. 1, 1877. 

General Orders "I 

No. 12. I 

In pursuance of a vote of the Council of Administration, the Head- 
quarters of this Department are hereby transferred to No. 53 Tremont 
Street, Room 3 (Suflblk Savings Bank Building). 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



OF Mass., G.A.R., "J 
5tueet, Room 3, [• 
roN, Dec. 24, 1877. j 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Si 

Boston, 
General Orders \ 
No. 13. / 

I. The following-named comrades are hereby designated as Mus- 
tering Officers, and will install the officers of the Posts Avhose numbers 
appear against their names : — 

Fred. S. Girtord, New Bedford, 1 ; H. A. Cushman, Taunton, 3, 55; 
Samuel Dalton, Salem, 5; John Scates, Boston, 7, 32; Benj. S. Lovell, 
East Weymouth, 8, 73; T. L. Kelly, Boston, 15; J. G. B. Adams, Lynn, 
29,66, 78; W.W.Woodbury, Soraerville, 30; H. B. Hibben, Scituate, 
31; J. L. Parker, Woburn, 33, 75; Geo. T. Roberts, Chelsea, 35; J. A. 
Joslyn, Brookfleld, 38 ; H. B. Peirce, Abington, 39, 139 ; C. H. Richardson, 
Lowell, 42 ; H. C. Sherwin, Ayer, 48; Tristram Talbot, Newburyport, 
49; Geo. H. Patch, South Framingham, 53; John McKay, Jr., Cam- 
bridge, 56; Geo. S. Evans, Cambridge, 57; Geo. S. Merrill, Lawrence, 
58; F. L. Harmon, West Warren, G5 ; C. C. Emery, Boston, 68; Stephen 
Felton, Marblehead, 82; J. F. Dolan, Hudson, 86; J. P. Jordan, Quincv, 
88; I. H. Edgett, Beverly, 89; W. T. Damon, Danvers, 90; F. H. Moore, 
Warren, 99; Sol. Nelson, Georgetown, 108; R. C. Waterman, Hanover, 
111; M. Scannell, Lynn, 118; D. E. Gale, Amesbury, 122; James H. 
Wade, Revere, 125; Chas. H. Chase, Salem, 132; Thomas Sherwin, 
Boston, 144. 

IL Post Commanders will at once put themselves in communica- 
tion with their Mustering Officers, giving time and place of installation. 
In case of the absence of the comrade designated above for any Post 
and where no comrade has l)een assigned, any Past Post Commander in 
good standing (except the retiring Commander) may act. In no case 
will the officers of any Post be installed until all reports and dues have 
been forwarded. See page 7, of the Service Book. 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
Henry Wilson, Jr., 

Chief Musterimj Officer. 
James F. Meecti, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



TWF.LFTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 325 



Headquartkks Dept. ok Mass., G.A.R., 
53 TuEMONT Street, Room ;5, 
Boston, Dec. 2G, 1877. 
General Orders "» 
No. 14. f 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department will be convened 
in Amory Hall (corner of Washington and West Streets), Boston, on 
AVednesday, Jan. 16, 187.S, at 7 o'clock r.Ji., for the election of Depart- 
ment orticers and the transaction of sucii otlier business as may come 
before it. Posts are entitled to the folloAving ratio of representation : 
One delegate for every lifty members reported in good standing Sei)tem- 
ber 30, -with one additional for a final fraction of more than half that 
number; but each Post, Avhatever its numbers, shall be entitled to at 
least one delegate. Post Commanders are members of the Encampment 
by virtue of their office. 

II. The Commander of Post 7 -will detail an Officer of the Day, an 
Officer of the Guard, and at least six sentinels for duty during the 
Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to the Assistant 
Adjutant-General at C.30 p.m. on the 16th at the Hall for instructions. 

III. The Adjutants', Quartermasters', and Surgeons' Reports, 
together Avitli all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to Depart- 
ment Encampment, should be forwarded to these Headquarters on or 
before Jan. 10, 1877. The Rules require the exclusion from the Encamp- 
ment of any Post failing to make complete returns, especially Surgeon's 
Report on Form F. Every Post has received one of the Surgeon's 
blanks, which is to be filled out in accordance with Circular No. 1, dated 
Oct. 1, 1877, from the Surgeon-General's Office. Attention is also called 
to Paragraph XI., General Orders No. 11, from these Headquarters The 
blank for reporting delegates and alternates that has been furnished to 
Posts must give name and "Post-office Address" of new "Post Com- 
mander"; but this blank, as well as the Adjutant's and Quartermaster's 
Reports for fourth quarter, must be signed by the officers of 1877. 

IV. In accordance Avith Paragraph I., General Orders No. 10, from 
these Headquarters, the following Posts are reported in arrears for 
reports : — 

Post 102, Blllerica, C. S. Smith, Commander; Post 103, Chicopee, 
A. O. Kinney, Commander. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Cornrnander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General , 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT BOSTON, 
1879. 



JANUARY 27 — EVENING SESSION 

Encampment called to order by Department Commander 
Horace Binney Sargent. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General proceeded to call the roll, 
and 17G delegates and the following Department oOicers answered 
to their names : — 

Department Commander, Horace Binney Sargent. 

Senior Vice Department Commander, John G. B. Adams. 
Junior Vice Department Commander, John A. Ilawes. 
IMedical Director, W. Symington Brown. 

( George H. Patch. 
Council of Administration : ] George AY. Creasey. 

( J. Frank Daltou. 
Assistant Adjutant-General, James F. Meech. 

Assistant (.Quartermaster-General, Edward T. Raymond. 

Inspector, Samuel Dalton. 

Judge Advocate, Andrew J. Bailey. 

Chief Mustering Oflicer, Samuel B. Spooner. 

Past Department Connnander, George S. Merrill. 

After notice had been given to the guard to admit all com- 
rades who had the proper countersign, to the rear of the hall, the 
Encampment was called to attention, and prayer was offered by 
Comrade Chaplain John AV. Lee of Post 11, Charlestown. 

The next business was the reports of the otiicers. First in 
order came the report of the Commander. 

327 



328 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

GENERAL SARGENT'S ADDRESS. 

Comrades of the Grand Army : 

In full fraternity, and unabated loyalty to the Union that you 
have defended, we hold today our Twelfth Annual Convention. 
In making my third and final report, I desire to express my 
tender gratitude for the confidence that you have reposed in me 
for three successive terms as Department Commander. 1 only 
regret that I have not been able to serve you as effectively as I 
might have done if these three years had not been marked by a 
disastrous business depression which, acting differently on different 
interests, has created some difference of opinion as to measures 
of public policy. But through all the anguish of many of our 
members, and through all the stormy discussions of press and 
platform, we, as an organization, have pursued the even tenor of 
our way. We have not forgotten that we are only the charitable 
military order of the Grand Army of the Republic. The harmony 
of this association has not been disturbed, though under this 
depression the efforts to increase our numbers have been impeded. 
Poverty diminishes new entries, adds to the black-list " dropped 
for arrears," and increases the burden of demands for relief. 
The respect of society for the honesty of our purposes and the 
grandeur of your service in the immortal past, is manifested even 
by the occasional outbreaks of jealousy from politicians, lest the 
Grand Army should meddle with the living issues of the day. 
Our forbearance entitles us to expect, in behalf of invalid 
soldiers, liberal attention to our well-considered petitions. Our 
business is charity to loyal men and their suffering families. But 
we need legislative aid. The interests of the Grand Army in 

A soldiers' home in MASSACHUSETTS 

is not abated. The repeal of the recent statute, " in aid of in- 
digent soldiers and sailors," who, however suffering, are not 
entitled to admission to the national homes, increases the pressing 
necessity of a State asylum for our invalids. 

If the Legislature of last year had granted our prayer for 
an appropriation of $100,000 only, the Commonwealth would 
have saved a large sum of money. We have made the "aid of 
indigent soldiers and sailors " our business for twelve years ; we 
distribute an average of over $30,000 per annum of our relief 
funds ($21,774 the last year) ; and we are familiar with the 
record and necessity of applicants for aid. The Grand Army, as 
experts in the needs and merits of our fellow-soldiers, offered 
its unpaid service as almoners of Massachusetts. Petitions in 
aid of our prayer for an appropriation of $100,000 for a soldiers' 
home, signed by 21,000 voters, were poured in upon the Legisla- 
ture. Hearings were given, and, after full exposition of the 



TIIir.TKENTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



329 



object desired and a statement by the Legislative Military Com- 
mittee that 'if any further information were required, the petitioners 
would be summoned, the subject was referred to the next (the 
present) General Court, and an act was passed, in the form of 
additional ])ay, which, according to the Auditor's report, has 
already cost the Commonwealth a vast sum of money. The 
oflicers of this Department and the i)etitioners for a soldiers' 
home are not responsible for this legislation. We did not ask 
for this law, but for an appropriation to purchase and endow a 
permanent soldiers' home at a cost of much less than one year's 
expenditure under the statute referred to. The act is a legisla- 
tive monument, and should be entitled "An Act for Saving at 
the Spigot and Wasting at the Bung." A vast sum spent on 
soldiers°uofc entitled to pension for wounds or disability contracted 
in service — for no pensioned man could receive a dollar — is the 
indirect consequence of legislative indifference to the petition of 
twenty-one thousand voters for a soldiers' home. The tax- 
payers were spending at the moment of the repeal of the late 
statute, and in connection with the Act of 1<S77, 875,000 a mouth 
in aid to soldiers, or at the rate of $'.)()0,000 a year. We only 
asked them to give $100,000 to an incorporated board of trustees 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, with Governor Rice, Gov- 
ernor Gaston and General Devens at their head, for the purchase 
and endowment of a permanent hospital and home. In matters 
of charitable discretion, a rigid construction, such as statutes 
demand, defeats the charitable intent. Thus the printed in- 
struction of the State auditor to cities and towns that no pen- 
sioner could receive any relief under this statute, left many of 
the most meritorious soldiers, however small their pensions, to 
suffer, and opened the treasury to many men whose application 
the Grand Army would have rejected. 

New legislation on the subject is now proposed. Why 
should not the Grand Army be considered ? Does the tax-paying 
public know, does fashionable society know, that every night, 
while it is attending its theaters and balls, details of war-worn 
men from the Posts^are watching by some dying comrade's bed .'' 
The men who bore the Hag of the Connnonwealth, that seems 
rather persistently to ignore their appeal, may be found every 
night tenderly holding the hands of dying men, watching and 
umsiug them without any distinction of nationality or color, but 
because of the holy bond of combatant loyalty to the mother-land. 
Are not these soldiers fitter State almoners to their fellow-soldiers 
than town and city boards, acting under a statute that, if not 
loosely drawn, admits no equitable discretion, can possibly be .^ 
Is it not cheaper for tax-payers? The Surgeon-General's bureau 
would be unnecessary if a soldiers' home, under a medical and 
surgical superintendent, were established. We have in our Order 
in this State 1,600 wounded men. 



330 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Comrades, the time has come for plain speaking from me to 
you. The Annual Convention of this Department has thrice 
expressed its intelligent conviction that a soldiers' home is 
necessary ; and the Grand Army is deficient in self-respect if it 
does not effectively express its dissatisfaction at the efforts of 
any member of the Order to thwart the desire of the organization. 
If those who owe their comfortable salaried positions to the Order, 
and are not a great deal wiser than the Grand Army of the State, 
would give a fraction of the labor to aid our purpose that they 
expend in sneering at soldier-beggars as "nine-tenths of them 
bummers," and a soldiers' home as a scheme for " a tramp's hotel," 
a creditable army home, at a small part of the sum which the late 
impracticable statute has cost the State, might lift its modest head 
by the side of the Danvers Insane Hospital and the Concord State 
Prison, as pai'tly a substitute for both these costl}' asylums of 
wretched men. 

If, after the late experiment, the State is not prepared to try 
the cheaper and just method petitioned for last year, it is but 
just and wise that the Posts of the Grand Army be preferred to 
municipal boards of towns and cities as State almoners to her 
soldiers. The burdens of taxation would be greatly increased if 
the Grand Army should for want of funds abandon its charitable 
work. If the Commonwealth trusted you to defend its flag, can 
it not trust you to dispense its charity to your own comrades? 
The indorsement of some one of our 131 relief committees upon 
an applicant's petition for aid would be a guide to the State 
charity. Every Post has such a local committee. 

Whether our prayer this year for a soldiers' home be re- 
ferred to the next Legislature or not, we ought to make a small 
beginning with the sum of about $10,000 in our hands. Tlie 
Probate Court has decided the claim for Miss Scver's bequest in 
our favor, provided within a reasonable time we establish a 
Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts. That bequest will be lost if 
we do not act. The trustees may decide that a beginning be 
made at once; and I can hardly doubt that with caution, in- 
genious economy, and the never-failing aid of charitable women, 
success sufHcient to justify more than one demand upon the 
Legislature will be attained. The great State of New York this 
month opens its State Home for Soldiers. Shall jMassachusetts 
begin witli three veterans in a garret? I am indebted to the 
Chaplain- in-Chief for many valuable suggestions. They are 
closely connected with great social truths. The difficulty in the 
way of making these truths etticient lies in the fact that social 
questions are so closely connected with legislation, politics, 
parties, and nominations, that you who have risked your lives to 
save a nation are as timid as girls about shaping its destiny, lest 
we should bring the Grand Army into politics. "With your 
experience in discipline and effective administration, and with 



THIIITEENTII ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 331 

your sad knowledge of the difference between poverty and crime, 
your organization is entitled to take an instructive position. 
Debates upon social questions in Post or public meetings would 
be more entertaining and useful than many of our dramas. 
Society would be better today for these lessons of etticient 
government that army life and stern, prompt justice have taught 
us. The people have not yet half a government. How to have 
a thing done and hoAV not to have it done seems to be the broad 
distinction between military and civil administration. 

These questions are of interest when we see some of our 
comrades suffering from the temptations of poverty, and starving 
rather than yield, while the benevolent public is enormously taxed 
to make a palatial State prison. No soldier, who has slept hun- 
gry under rain and snow, can reflect without pam that many a 
comrade's family, if not unhoused, is unfed or half- fed, on 
Christmas Day ; while mau}^ irreclaimable scoundrels, within 
prison walls, are stuffed with roast turkey, plum pudding, and 
mince pie, as if burglary, rape, and murder were in the Ten Com- 
mandments, and these men were the mSdal scholars. We foro-et 
in reading the Bible that when Christ commanded us to tenderly 
visit the prisoner, the prisons were filled with debtors and inno- 
cent men ; for short work was made of thieves and cutthroats. 
When we think of the blessing that even the bleakest wing of a 
costly and comfortable penitentiary would be to our homeless or 
work-housed men, we remember the advice of P^rasmus and Sir 
Thomas More, who, following the example of the Romans and 
other nations, recommended the mines as prisons where convicts 
could not compete with ordinary industries, and which are capable 
of indefinite enlargement, and add new wings whenever a new 
shaft is sunk or a new galler}' is opened. 

I am aware that "parliaments have their passions like individ- 
uals." But I am asking only justice ; I am backed by the entreaty 
of many thousand men to whom Massachusetts owes a debt that 
she never can pay. If I am importunate in my advocacy I will 
not believe that a legislative body will punish me by resistance to 
the entreaty of the Grand Ai-my and the wounded soldiery of the 
State. For that would be immortal infamy, and even to those 
legislators who said deprccatingly to last year's military committee : 
"If you do report a bill for a soldiers' home, recollect we shall 
feel obliged to vote for it." Such two-faced friends of soldiers ride 
to power on the soldier tide. They eulogize the soldier dead. 
So Portugal called Camoens, their hero-poet, "The Great," after 
he had died in a poor-house of her capital. How many a wounded, 
war-worn pauper in Massachusetts work-houses today could say, 
in Spenser's words : — 

" Fall little knowest thou, that hast not try'd, 
What hell it is, in suin<!:, loni; to bide : 
To fawn, to crouch, to wait, to ride, to run, 
To speed, to give, to want, to be undone ! " 



332 EARLY HISTORY DEPT, OF MASS., G.A.R. 

"History is philosophy teaching by examples." We are 
treading in the same steps of injustice, confusing poverty, and 
crime, that other nations have taken and regretted. 

The legislative indifference to our appeal for an asylum for 
maimed heroes who must starve or beg, coupled with the pre- 
vailing tone of legislation in regard to tramps, — as all men, who, 
evicted by the sheriff and looking vainly for labor at home, may 
be styled, when, fainting in their wandering for work, they seek 
a morsel of food at a farm-house door, — reminds me of that dark 
page of P^nglish history when England enacted her first poor law, 
after the soldier homes of the Knights Templar and the charitable 
convents were destroyed. Early England knew no poor laws, 
and had no need of them. Soldierly and religious charity pro- 
vided "soldier homes." After the wars of the Crusades, the 
Knights Templar opened wide their doors to the wretched wrecks 
of armies. To relieve the poor, to maintain free hospitality, to 
defend the Holy Land, for which the crusaders had shed their 
blood, was the bond of their society. Under this tenure they 
held their land : a bond singularly like ours, of Fraternity, Charity, 
and loyal purpose to maintain what they had won. In the same 
noble field the religious houses of England, until Harry the P^ighth 
destroyed them, relieved the kingdom from the burden of the 
poor ; and high authority, speaking of the workings of charity in 
the hands of these associations, has said: "It is most certain 
that a purely civil administration has never since been able to do 
it with half the efficacy to the poor, nor with a tithe of the conven- 
ience to the public. The principle of charity has been sacrificed 
to the change, and the Christian bond between rich and poor 
almost irrevocably broken." 

How true these words seem when we compare the real good 
done by the Grand Army, the charitable Knights Templar of this 
age, in the intelligent, discriminating, tender, painstaking dis- 
tribution of $21,774 in this State during the past year, with the 
wasteful and unjust result, under the statute of 1878, where the 
men, who are disabled by wounds, were excluded from its benefits 
by the unyielding letter of the law ! That first poor law of Eng- 
land, the first provision made for the beggar, after Templars, 
and Hospitallers, and religious houses had been compelled to 
close their doors on the worn-out soldier, went further than the 
anti-tramp statutes of Vermont and the other States. It did not 
content itself with imprisoning the traveler who should beg for 
money or food. The first poor law of p]ngland (27 Henry VIII., 
e. 25, 153.5), followed by God's judgment, as such laws will ever 
be, ordered the beggar who was able to work to be whipped 
back to the place where he was born, there to get his living by 
compulsory labor ; and if he repeated his offense to have "the 
gristle of his right ear cutt off;" and for the third offence to be 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCA:MPMENT. 333 

adjudged ana executed as a felon. God grant that we may never 
have such a Grand Army badge as that I The travelhig apostles, 
without scrip or money in their purse, would have had a rough 
time of it in England, as they now have in some of our New 
England States. But to provide work for men " able to work," 
which statutes overlook, and our industrial home proposes to do, 
soon became necessary. A little later, Edward the Sixth had to 
surrender his fee farms for three years, "to be bestowed about 
repairing of walls, bridges, setting the poor on work." 

To punish men able to work for not working, or amiiably 
starving when no work can be had, is like INIrs. Partington's at- 
tempt, with purblind spectacles on her old nose, to mop out the 
Atlantic as it rolled its flood-tide in a hurricane up Portsmouth's 
streets and flowed under her doors. When the voting majority 
bear arms, to punish for idleness, and not give work, is like sitting 
down on an earthquake. Wise Queen Elizabeth, by sweeping 
laws, provided for private places of employment for the poor. 
"Maimed soldiers" are a principal care in the most celebrated of 
her charitable statutes. 

I have gone over these details of history because events are 
repeating themselves. We are passing through an epoch of un- 
paralleled distress, when "maimed soldiers" maybe tramps as 
before. For j^ears we have been promised, with each succeed- 
ing spring and autumn, better times, while the active cause 
of worse ones was in full exercise. Employment is as hard to 
get as ever. As we are getting older and fewer, the power to 
remedy the evils of poverty among our comrades and their families 
is growing weaker. Every year will show the increasing necessity 
of an asylum for our "old men." The national homes cannot 
hold a twentieth part of the Federal wounded survivors of the war, 
to say nothing of the Confederates, who may be as reasonably ex- 
pected to demand admission to these national homes, or refuse 
appropriations to our pensioners, as to insist on Mosby's being 
United States Consul at Hong Kong. There are also, as you 
know, many cases requiring permanent care that do not come 
within the national rules of f.dmission. We want to combine the 
hospital for the temporary relief of invalids with the employment 
bureau and industrial home. 

The political bearing of our appeal is worthy the attention 
of statesmen. There is no one of us who would let a brave old 
antagonist perish of his wounds and die in the gutter. Yet the 
demand, certain to arise, of the Confederate soldier to be admitted 
to our national asylums will be disagreeable, and, on refusal, 
appropriations for our own pensioners will be imperiled. A 
bitter strife would follow the demand. It is the part of wisdom 
for ]\Iassachusetts to forefend against this, and to set, or rather 
follow, the example of letting each State provide an asylum for 



334 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

its own quota, even if the nation, now united, should see fit to 
maintain the present national asylums for the worn-out, home- 
less, kinless, expatriated soldiers of either side who do not care 
where they live or die. Other States have set us the example. 
Massachusetts, foremost in exciting the strife and enlistment, and 
posing on her money record, is now behind her sister States in 
providing an asylum for her disabled sons. 

Retrenchment is the excuse for doing nothing now. Mean- 
while, many a soldier's old wounds are reopening. If we mean 
retrenchment, let us not economize in bandages and lint, in roof 
and food and fire for disabled men, pensioned or not. It might 
be economy to follow the good housekeeping example in regard 
to servants, by discharging half our legislators, instead of under- 
paying a costly army of cheap ones. Let the people revise the 
basis of representation on a plan of larger districts, and give 
sufficient pay to half as many competent law makers. Half as 
many legislators, half as many sessions, half as many laws, would 
be the grand econoni}'. Cheaply-made statutes are the prolific 
mothers of lawsuits. Every day miikes it plainer to this people 
that God is not on the side of the largest legislative battalions. 
Our large assemblies have almost become mobs from their size. 
Must soldiers be exiled from the State on the plea of economy, 
when a change of our system could give them a home and pay to 
a sutficiently large Legislature more than a shoemaking journey- 
man's wages? 

Comrades, we must exert a social power. A generation is 
now taking our places, which regards us with the same indifference 
that confronted the men of the Revolution when they sued for 
their pensions. Of course, party newspapers, and platforms, and 
aspirants for the presidency, Avill periodically " recognize the 
priceless value " of your services. But, if the little element of 
patronage intrudes itself, if custom-houses or consulships are in 
question, it may be better to have been a truly loyal, staj'-at-home 
politician or a truly disloyal guerilla. 

Frederick the Great said, "Offices are like lemons: we 
squeeze out the juice and throw away the rind." Soldiers of the 
rank and file get a sharper touch of the lemon-squeezer ; and it is 
no Avonder if, sometimes, such an one, unhoused and hungry, as 
he observes that strange spirit of squeamish waste which infects 
our politics, says in bitterness of heart, " ingratitude is the vice 
of republics." But, out of political circles, he is often reminded 
of the purer, earlier hours of his sacrifice by some true patriot, 
some warm-hearted citizen, who exclaims with glistening eyes, 
" I would give half I am worth for your one arm and your record." 
And, comrades, how few of us there are who could set the price 
at which we would give up our part in the immortal past. As I 
stand here for the last time I cannot conceive a keener pang to 



TIIIKTEENTII ANNUAL KNCAMl'MENT. 335 



manhood than to forego all right and title to comradeship with 
you — you, whose eontidence and kindness have cheered three 
years of my life ; you, whom I shall ever cherish with respect, 
affection, pride — grateful to God tliat, in the agonizing hour of the 
great motherland, I was permitted to humbly share your l)a])tism 
of lire and shed my blood on the same triumphant side of human 
rights with you. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jan. 29, 1879. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department of Massachusetts : 

In compliance with the requirements of the Rules and Regu- 
lations of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1 have the honor to 
submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1878 : — 

Number of Posts Dec. 31, 1877 136 

Number of members reported in good standing, fourth 

quarter, 1877 8,113 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1878 131 

Number of members iu good standing, fourth quarter, 

so far as reported 7,549 

ChartiM-s or the following Posts have been surrendered during 
the year : — 

Post 50 Townsend. 

n 102 Billerica. 

u 103 Chicopee. 

u 10.') AVest Med way. 

u 120 Greenfield. 

tt 129 Somerset. 

Total, six. 
One Post has been organized during the year namely : G. 
Wesley Nichols Post 44, Fayville (Southboro). 

The following changes in the membership of the Department 
have taken place during the year : — 

Number of members gained by muster-in . . 55G 

ti " " transfer ... 90 

u " " reinstatement . 1,361 

Total gains 2,007 



336 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Number of members lost by death 96 

" " " honorable discharge, 78 

" " " transfers .... 132 

" " " suspension . . . 2,155 

" " " dishonorable discharge, 1 



Total loss 2,462 

Total gain 2,007 



Excess of losses over gains 455 

Number of rejections during the year 24 

Number of comrades entitled to seats in this Encampment, 
331. This is based on 128 Posts, that number having made 
complete returns for fourth quarter, 1878. 

There are no Posts in arrears for reports of any nature prior 
to fourth quarter. In this connection I desire to congratulate the 
Post officers of the yetxr just closed for the generally prompt and 
correct manner in which their reports have been made. There 
are some Posts that are tardy in the above respects, but generally 
Post officers have found it as convenient to forward their reports 
when they were due, viz. : on the first days of the quarter, as to 
delay, be notified, and possibly be reported in General Orders, 
thereby causing delays at Department and National Headquarters. 
I most sincerely trust that in the future all reports of Posts will 
be as promptly and still more correctly made than ever before. 
The latter is an especially important matter ; and if officers of 
Posts will follow instructions on the blanks and in Rules and 
Regulations, there need be no reports returned for correction. 

1 desire again, as in previous reports, to call the attention 
of Post officers to the custom so prevalent of sending money 
through the mails in letters. It is a common matter to receive 
letters so heavy with the hard money of the times, that the en- 
velopes are broken and will not hold the enclosures except by 
careful handling. A recommendation that remittances should be 
made in a different form would seem almost superfluous, as it 
would be but a repetition of previous suggestions. 

The Department Inspector will undoubtedly deal at length 
with matters pertaining to the inspection of the Department. I 
desire, however, to record my recommendation of the system as 
put in operation the past year. I believe it is a system that 
alreadj' has been, and if continued will be, of the utmost benefit 
to the Posts of this Department. 

I am led to this conclusion not only by my own experience 
in visiting Posts, — and I have had the honor of visiting a few 
Posts officially, — but also from what I hear from comrades in all 
parts of the Commonwealth. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 337 

My experience with Posts and comrades has confirmed my 
previous opinion that an effort should be made in this Depart- 
ment looking to such a change in Rules and Regulations as will 
give Posts more discretionary power in regard to the suspension 
and dropping of conu-ades, and especially in reference to the 
amendment to Section 4, Article IV. Chapter V., General 
Rules, as passed at the last annual meeting of the National p]n- 
campment, as I understand that these matters will be presented 
at the proper time l)y a number of Posts who will be represented 
at this Encampment. I trust this matter will receive such atten- 
tion at your hands as you may deem it deserves. 

Comrades : As I present this my third report as Assistant 
Adjutant-General of this Department, I beg to express to the 
Commander and officers of the Department, and to all comrades 
with whom I have had dealings, my grateful and hearty apprecia- 
tion of the kindness and courtesy shown to me at all times. 
Fraternally submitted, 

JAMES F. MEECH, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL FOR 
THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1878. 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand as per report of 1877 $ .^58. 59 

Dues received, first (juarter, 1878 G50.3C 

" " second (|uarter, 1878 G39.r)0 

" " thu-d (luarter, 1878 630.00 

" " fourth (luarter, 1878 G2(1.32 

Received for books and blanks 180.41 

" badiics 245.25 

" " sundries 25.30 

Total receipts $3,055.73 

EXPENDITURES. 

As per voucliers No. 250 to No. 21)4 and No. 29G to 

No. 330 inclusive $3,045.14 

Cash on hand 10.59 

$3,055.73 
22 



338 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



ASSETS. 

Due from Posts for dues $612.00 

" " " sundries 33.22 

"Value books and blanks on hand 68.89 

" office furniture 17.5.00 

" colors 30.00 

Cash on hand 10.59 

Total assets $929.70" 

LIABILITIES. 

Inspectors' expenses .$117.92 

National Headquarters, for dues, fourth ([uarter, 

1878 115.35 

National Headquarters, badges and supplies . . 487.50 

720.77 
Excess of assets over liabilities $208.97 



(Signed) E. T. RAYMOND, 

Assistant Quartermaster-General. 



REPORT OF DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass , G.A.R. , 
Boston, Jan. 28, 1879. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant- General : 

In compliance with Section 1, Article V., Chapter 5, Rules and 
Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic, I have the honor 
to submit my consolidated report of inspection, with duplicate 
copy to be forwarded to the Inspector-General at National Head- 
quarters. 

On entering upon my term of office for this year, I suggested 
that the inspecting be done by the Department officers ; and I can 
safely say, that every Post holding meetings has been thoroughly 
inspected, and the visits of the above officers have had a most 
beneficial effect. 

I am indebted to the Department officers for the earnest man- 
ner in which my suggestion was adopted and carried out. 

The entire cost to the Department of the yearly inspection is 
$148.37, being less than any other year. 

membership. 
Whole number of comrades in good standing at date of in- 
spection, 7,909, which is a falling off from my last report of 372. 
On account of the depressing times many Posts have lost large 
numbers of comrades because of their inability to pay their dues. 
Many of these comrades are most worthy, and every effort should 
be made to reclaim them ; and were it not for the exertions of 
several Posts in this very matter our membership would be much 
smaller. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 339 



RITUAL. 

Generally the work of the Ritual is well performed ; but I 
would suggest to all officers of Posts the importance of commit- 
ting the service to memory, and the entire absence of all books. 

During the ceremonies of our Order, Post countersigns cannot 
be too safely guarded, and comrades should be often instructed in 
all countersigns, thereby becoming familiar with them and not in 
danger of using them to Inspectors or to others who are not 
entitled to them. 

I would call the attention of the Department to the reports 
of the Inspectors, now on file, and to the suggestions made by 
them in other papers on file at Department Headquarters. 

CHARITY. 

One hundred and fourteen Posts have expended for relief, for 
the year ending Sept. 30, 1878, $21,779.07, which is nearly as 
much as reported in my last report. One hundred and two Posts 
have iu their relief funds $40,854.91, which is an increase of 
$2,000 over last report. By our Regulations the Quartermaster 
of a Post is the custodian of all Post property, and is required to 
give bonds. This rule should be enforced by the Department, as 
only about two-thirds of the Posts now comply with it. 



POSTS. 

■ The Department now consists of 131 Posts. 

69 Posts are reported in good standing (condition). 
46 " " fair " " 

15 " " poor " " 

One Post is reported as not holding meetings, and could not 
be inspected. This Post has been reported by me in this condition 
three times, and some action should be taken by the Department. 

I consider the Department in a most healthy condition, and 
would suggest that this year's form of inspection, having been 
productive of so much good, and the expense so small, be adopted 
by the Department for the ensuing year. 

In concluding, I desire to thank you for your valuable assist- 
ance ; also my thanks are due to all Department officers for 
courtesies extended. 

Yours in F., C, and L., 

(Signed) SAMUEL DALTON, 

Department Inspector. 



340 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

KEPORT OF JUDGE ADVOCATE. 

Boston, Jan. 28, 1879. 
Horace Binney Sargent, 

Commander Dejmrtmeyit of Massachusetts, G.A.R. 
Comrades: 

I have the honor, iu accordance with the Rules and Regula- 
tions, to submit my annual report. 

There have been submitted for my consideration the reports 
of proceedings of eight courts-martial, only two of which have 
received my approval. The necessity of having every comrade 
charged with an offense served with proper notice of time and 
place of holding the court, and also having him served with a copy 
of the charges and specifications, cannot be too strongly impressed 
upon the Posts of this Department. 

My opinion has been asked upon nine questions involving the 
construction of by-laws of Posts and the Rules and Regulations 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, all of which have been 
answered in writing and my decision given. 

Two sets of by-laws have been submitted for my approval, 
both of which, after certain amendments had been made, have 
been approved. 

Respectfully submitted, 

(Signed) ANDREW J. BAILEY, 

Judge Advocate. 



REPORT OF COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Headquarters ^Dept. op Mass., G.A.R,, 
Boston, Jan. 29, 1879. 
To THE Delegates to Department Convention. 
Comrades : 

In obedience to Section 9, Article VT., Chapter III., Rules 
and Regulations, the Council of Administration submits the 
following report of its doings during the past year : — 

The Council has held twelve regular and two special meetings. 
We have carefully examined the accounts of the Assistant 
Quartermaster-General, and find them correct. 

The total receipts from all sources has been . $3,055 73 
The total expenses have been, as per vouchers 

Nos. 250 to 294 and 296 to 330 inclusive . 3,045 14 

Cash on hand 10 59 

There is also on hand a contingent fund of . . 23 65 

which sum has been forwarded by Posts who took affirmative 
action upon the request made by assistant inspectors relative to 
the establishment of such a fund. 



THIKTEEKTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 341 

The Department Convention, at its last session, after some 
debate, referred to the Council of Administration the matter of 
organizing in the Grand Army of the Republic of this State a 
mutual benefit association. 

After a long and exhaustive discussion, during which each 
member seemed to have a plan of his own, the whole matter was 
referred to a special committee of the Council, with instructions 
to report at a subsequent meeting. 

This Committee, after a very careful examination of all facts 
that could be obtained relative to the question, reported that it 
was impracticable and inexpedient to engraft such an association 
upon the organization as a whole. The report was accepted by 
the Council. But suggestions were made to assistant inspectors, 
that they recommend to each Post the advisability of forming 
local or Post "Mutual Benefit Associations" within their own 
membership, to be governed by such by-laws and rules as they 
may choose to adopt. 

Believing that such associations would strengthen weak Posts, 
and retain the full membership of the stronger ones, such recom- 
mendations have been made by the Assistant Inspectors ; and it 
remains for Posts to consider whether or not it would be for their 
benefit to adopt such suggestions. 

In view of the fact that the State Aid law (Chapter 282, 
Acts and Resolves, approved May 17, 1878) has been repealed, 
the Council recommends to all delegates to this Convention the 
necessity of advising the members of the several Posts (whom 
they represent) keeping to the front in the matter, and, by public 
and private effort, labor to the end that such legislation be en- 
grafted upon our statute books as shall benefit honorably-dis- 
charged soldiers and sailors who may not be entitled to aid from 
the State, or who do not receive pensions from the National 
Government. Believing that any honorably discharged soldier or 
sailor who volunteered his services and did his duty should never 
have to ask for charity within the walls of an almshouse, and 
thereby forfeit that right to human suffrage which the war for the 
Union gave to millions upon whom that right had never before 
descended, we believe it should be the duty of every true comrade 
to make a personal effort in that direction, which points to such 
recognition of services performed as shall forever preclude the 
possil)ility of such injustice being done to any survivor of those 
grand armies that made Freedom possible and our Union secure. 

The Council recommends the necessity of all Posts taking 
some action relative to increasing our membership. The field in 
all quarters is large ; many men have never afHliated with our 
Order; many good comrades have left it, and for no good reason. 
United action and energetic efforts in the right direction may 
incorporate new material and reclaim some of the old that has 



342 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

gone out from our ranks. Time with his certain devastation will 
decimate our ranks ; but our faith in the Gnand Army should in- 
crease as our members grow less, and we should all labor with 
an eye single to the glory of the organization and its upbuilding. 
In closing this report we would make especial mention of the 
kindness and hearty co-operation of the Assistant Adjutant-Gen- 
eral, at whose hands we have at all times received all necessary 
courtesies and assistance which we, from time to time, have needed 
in the prosecution of our duties ; and we believe he justly merits 
the thanks of all comrades who may have had any oflficial trans- 
actions with the office of the Assistant Adjutant-General of the 
Department of Massachusetts. 

We would also express our sentiments of regard to the 
retiring Commander, Horace Binuey Sargent, for his unvarying 
kindness, his never-failing courtesy, and his unabated interest in 
all that pertains to the work of the Order. 

Trusting and believing that the thanks and good wishes of all 
true comrades may attend him in his unofficial career through the 
many years of life to which we trust he may be spared, 

Respectfully submitted, 
(Signed) Geo. H. Patch, 

Geo. W. Creasey, 
J, Frank Dalton, 
Geo. H. Howard, 
Council of Administration. 



On motion, the foregoing reports were received, accepted, 
and ordered to be placed on file. 

Communications from Posts being next in order, the Roll of 
Posts was called, and Posts 15 of Boston, 26 of Roxbury and 
78 of S. Abington, through their respective Commanders, sub- 
mitted proposed changes to Rules and Regulations. 

Individual communications were next in order; and Com- 
rade Spalding of Post 11 and Comrade Ames of Post 12 sub- 
mitted proposals for change in the Rules and Regulations. 

On motion of Asst. Adjt.-Gen James F. Meech, it was 
voted. That a committee of five be appointed at once by the 
Department Commander, and the Judge Advocate to be Chairman 
of the committee, to whom all proposed amendments to Rules 
and Regulations be referred without debate, the committee to 
report as early as possible tomorrow. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 343 

Committee : Andrew J. Bailey of Post 11, Hiram A. Wright 
of Post 26, C. S. Anthony of Post 3, Geo. H. Patch of Post 142, 
Benjamin S. Lovell of Post 58. 

On motion, it was voted that when we adjonrn tonight it be 
to meet at 10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow. An important matter had 
been overlooked until this moment, namely : the reading of the 
records of last meeting. On motion of Junior Vice-Commander 
Hawes, the reading of the records was dispensed with. 

A report of committee appointed at the last meeting to ar- 
range for a military ball for the benefit of the Soldiers' Home was 
called for; but the chairman. Comrade Appleton of Post 113, was 
not present, and the committee had no report to make. 

Comrade M. A. Boyden of Post 10 of Worcester, moved. That 
a committee of seven be appointed by the Commander to report at 
the session tomorrow a list of delegates and alternates to Na- 
tional Encampment, and five comrades for the Council of Admin- 
istration. The motion was seconded, when Comrade Maxfield of 
Post 42 of Lowell, offered an amendment making the committee 
nine instead of seven. The amendment was seconded ; and after 
a brief discussion the motion as amended was carried. The Com- 
mander appointed the following committee : — 

M. A. Boyden of Post 10, R. B. Wight of Post 63, T. E. 
Cutter of Post 49, R. F. Tobin of Post 30, S. B. Spooner of Post 
16, Chas. J. Sadler of Post 34, Geo. L. Goodale of Post 66, T. 
J. Quinn of Post 57, J. G. B. Adams of Post 5. 

Commander W. D. Cole of Post 18, Ashland, called atten- 
tion to the State Aid laws of the Commonwealth, and suggested 
that some action be taken by this Encampment looking to the 
passage of an act that shall be just and equitable, and moved that 
a committee of five be appointed by the Commander to consider 
the subject of State Aid law, and report tomorrow. 

Comrade T. H. Hill of Post 33, of Woburn, addressed the 
Encampment briefly in favor of the above proposition, and 
seconded the motion of Comrade Cole. A number spoke briefly 
on the above question, but their remarks were chiefly suggestions 
to the committee. 

The motion was submitted to the Encampment, and was 
unanimously passed. The Commander appointed the following 
committee : — 



344 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 

W. D. Cole of Post 18, Henry Johnson of Post 134, Geo. 
H. Teague of Post 12, Peter Nolan of Post 75, Thos. H. Hill of 
Post 33. 

The following dispatches were received and read : — 

Harrisburg, Pa., Jau, 29, 1879. 
Horace Binney Sargent, 

Boston. 
From the largest Department in the Union to tlie next largest, in 
Annual Encampment assembled, returns greetings. 

(Signed) CHARLES T. HULL, 

Department Commander. 
And the following : — 

Hartford, Conn., Jau. 29, 1879. 
Commander Department of Massachusetts, G.A.R., 

Amory Hall, Cor. West aud Washington Sts. 
Comrades Department of Connecticut send soldierly greeting to 
Comrades Department of Massachusetts. 

(Signed) CHARLES E. FOWLER, 

Commander. 

Comrade William Spalding of Post 11, Charlestown, moved 
that the above telegrams be placed on the Department records, 
and the Assistant Adjutant-General answer them in the name of 
the Department. 

The motion was seconded and was unanimously adopted. At 
9.30, there being no furthur business to transact at this time, 
the Encampment adjourned. 



JANUARY 30. — SECOND SESSION. 

The Encampment was called to order at 10 o'clock a.m. by 
Department Commander H. B. Sargent. 

The roll was called by the Assistant Adjutant-General, and 
Commander Sargent, Senior Vice-Commander Adams, Junior Vice- 
Commander Hawes, Comrades Patch, Creasey, and Dalton of the 
Council, Assistant Adjutant-General Meech, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General Raymond, Inspector Dalton, Judge Advocate 
Bailey, Chief Mustering Officer Spooner, Past Department Com- 
manders Cogswell and Merrill, and 195 delegates and alternates, 
answered to their names. 

Prayer was offered by Chaplain Lee of Post 1 1 , of Charlestown. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 345 

The Assistant Adjutant-General reported that the following 
answers had been returned as per instructions and in reply to those 

received last evening : — 

Boston, Jan. 30, 1879. 
Charles T. Hull, 

Commander Department of Pennsijlvania, G.A.R., 
Brandt's Hall, Harrisburjr, Pa. 
Massachusetts sends greetings to j'ou and your Department. May 
your increase and interest continue. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Department Commander. 

Boston, Jan. 30, 1879. 
Charles E. Fowler, 

Commander Department of Connecticut, G.A.R., 

Hartford, Conn. 
Your greeting received. Massachusetts hails you in Fraternity, 

Charity, and Loyalty. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Department Commander. 

Comrade Judge Advocate Andrew J. Bailey, for the Com- 
mittee to wlioni was referred all proposed amendments to Rules 
and Regulations, submitted a report, which was taken up section 
by section. After considerable debate and the defeat of a motion 
by Comrade R. F. Tobin of Post 30 of Cambridgeport, to "lay 
on the table," the report, as amended by Comrade Ames of Post 
12, and Con^.rade Frost of Post 43, was adopted, as follows : — 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 

The Committee to whom were referred the several proposed 
amendments to Rules and Regulations, having considered the 
same, submit the following, viz. : — 

Besolved, That the delegates representing this Department to the 
next National Encampment be and are hereby instructed to use their best 
efforts to secure the following changes in Rules and Regulations, viz. : — 

Amend Section 3, Article IV., Chapter II., by striking out the last 
four lines, and insert the following : " A comrade thus discharged can be 
received again only in the Post from which he was discharged by a two- 
thirds vote of all the members present at a regular meeting, or by con- 
sent of that Post given by a two-thirds vote of the members present at 
a regular meeting, notice of such application having been given at a 
previous meeting." 

Amend Section 1, Article III., Chapter 11.^ by striking out the 
whole of Section land inserting as Section I: " A comrade having a 



346 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

valid transfer card ma}^ be admitted to any Post, or readmitted to the 
Post wliicb granted tlie transfer card, by a two-thirds vote of all the 
members present at a regular meeting." 

Amend Sections 3 and 4, Article IV., Chapter V., by striliing out 
Section 3, and inserting the following as Section 3 : " If a comrade shall 
be one year in arrears in the payment of his dues, he may be dropped 
from the rolls and reinstated only by the Post which dropped him, by a 
two-thirds vote of the comrades present at a regular meeting, upon the 
payment of one year's dues." 

And inserting as Section 4 : " When a comrade is unable by reason 
of sickness or misfortune to pay his dues, they may be remitted by a 
two-thirds vote of all the members present at a regular meeting, 
notice of such application having lieen given at a previous meeting." 
For and in behalf of the Committee, 

ANDREW J. BAILEY, 

Chairman. 

The Committee appointed to nominate members of the Coun- 
cil of Administration and a list of delegates and alternates to 
National Encampment submitted their report, which was laid on 
the table until after the election of the Department officers. 

On motion of Comrade William L. Coon of Post 12, it was 
voted that we now proceed to the election of officers for the ensuing 
year, and that a committee of five be appointed by the Commander 
to collect, sort, and count votes for Department Commander. 

The following committee was appointed : — 

William L. Coon of Post 12, George J. Hinds of Post 15, 
John Kinnear of Post 30, Chas. H. Grant of Post 16, and J. Frank 
Dalton of Post 34. 

Comrade Past Department Commander George S. Merrill 
liominated Comrade John G. B. Adams of Post 5 of Lynn, and 
Comrade R. F. Tobin of Post 30 nominated Comrade John A. 
Hawes of Post 1, New Bedford, for Department Commander for 
the ensuing year. 

A ballot for Commander was had, and the Committee reported 
as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 204 

Necessary for a choice . . . 103 

John A. Hawes had 92 

John G. B. Adams had 112 

Therefore Comrade John G. B. Adams was declared elected 
Department Commander for the year ensuing. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 347 

Comrade Adams accepted the position in a brief speecn, and 
closed by announcing that he should appoint Comrade James F. 
Meech as Assistant Adjutant-General. 

On motion of Comrade John A. Hawes. the election of Com- 
rade Adams as Commander was made unanimous. 

No objection being made, the Assistant Adjutant-General 
was authorized to cast the unanimous vote of the Convention for 
Comrade John A, Hawes of Post 1, of New Bedford, for Senior 
Vice Department Commander. 

, The vote was cast as directed, and Comrade Hawes was 
declared elected. Comrade Hawes accepted the position and 
returned thanks for the very complimentary vote received. 

The next business being the election of Junior Vice Depart- 
ment Commander, Comrade Ames of Post 12 nominated Comrade 
Benj. S. Lovell of Post 58, "Weymouth; Comrade Churchill of 
Post 10 nominated Comrade Samuel B. Spooner of Post 1(5, 
Springfield; Comrade Peter Nolan of Post 75, Stoueham, nomi- 
nated Comrade Thomas H. Hill of Woburn. 

On motion it was voted that nominations be closed and we 
proceed to ballot. 

As the voting progressed, it was noticed that the ballots were 
somewhat mixed, and it was therefore voted that all ballots bearing 
Comrade Spooner's name, whether designating the ofHce or bearing 
the words Senior or Junior or other title, be declared as cast for 
Samuel B. Spooner for Junior Vice-Commander. 

The Committee reported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 192 

Necessary for a choice 07 

Comrade Thomas H. Hill had 19 

" Benj. S. Lovell had 42 

" Samuel B. Spooner had . . . .131 

Therefore Comrade Samuel B. Spooner was declared elected 
Junior Vice Department Commander for the ensuing year. 

By unanimous consent, Comrade W. S3Mnington Brown of 
Post 75, Stonehain, was elected Medical Director by a ballot cast 
by the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Comrade John W. Lee of Post 11, Charlestown, was unani- 
mously elected Chaplain for the ensuing year, by a ballot cast by 
the Assistant Adjutant-General, no objections being made. 



348 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The next business being the election of the Council of Ad- 
ministration, the report of the Committee on Nominations was 
taken from the table, the names as reported were again read, and 
a motion was made and seconded that the Assistant Adjutant- 
General cast the unanimous ballot of the Encampment for the 
names as reported by the Committee. Objections being made by 
a number of delegates, after some debate the motion was with- 
drawn. After still further debate, it was voted that the Encamp- 
ment proceed to a ballot for five members of Council of Adminis- 
tration on one ballot. The Committee that had collected votes 
for other officers attended to a similar duty in this case and re- 
ported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 89 

Necessary for a choice 45 

Comrade George H. Patch had 74 

" George W. Creasey had 67 

" J. Frank Dalton had 62 

" George H. Howard had 74 

" Azel Ames, Jr., had 56 

" Theo. L. Kelly had 43 

" John Scates had 6 

Scattering 8 

And Comrades Patch, Creasey, Dalton, Howard, and Ames 
were declared elected, those being the names originally reported 
by the nominating committee. 

The report of the nominating committee as to delegates and 
alternates to National Encampment was next considered ; and it 
was voted. That the names be read by the Committee, and as 
each name was read, if there was no objection offered, the unani- 
mous vote of the Encampment be cast by the Assistant Adjutant- 
General. 

The list as read by the Committee was approved, and the 
following comrades were declared elected : — 

Delegate-at-Lakge. Alternate- at-Large. 

Thomas Plunkett, Post 28 Emerson Stone, Post 37 

DELEGATES. ALTERNATES. 

P. Allen Lindsey, Post 30 James F. Davlin, Post 57 

D. H. L. Gleason, " 63 M. A. Boyden, " 10 

C. Frank Luther, " 79 Henry B. Thayer, " 22 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 349 

E. P. Clark, Post 71 Chas. H. Grant Post 16 

J. P. Maxfield, " 42 Benj. S. Lovell, " 58 

William H. Hart, " 2a Freeman C. Luce, " 1 

John McKay, Jr., " 15 John S. Fay, " 43 

A. J. Bailey, " 11 H. B. Rowley, " 93 

On motion of Comrade C. A. Stott of Post 42, it was voted, 
That hereafter, in the report of the Assistant Quartermaster-Gen- 
eral, the expenditures be summarized. 

It was moved, that the salary of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General be reduced to $1,000 per year; but on motion of ConVrade 
Goodale of Post 66, it was voted. That the whole subject be 
indefinitely postponed. 

The (juestion of "where the next Encampment should be 
held " was discussed ; and it was voted, That the Council of Ad- 
ministration consider the propriety of holding it at some other 
place than Boston. During the discussion of the foregoing, an 
invitation was received from Post 5 of Lynn, asking the Depart- 
ment to meet in that city at its next session. 

This invitation was by consent referred to the Council. 

Reference was made by several comrades to the beneficial 
effects of the visits of the Department officers to the Posts during 
the past year ; and on motion of Comrade Fisher of Post 146, it was 
voted, That the Department officers be invited to visit each Post 
of the Department at least once during the coming year. 

The Committee on State Aid submitted the following 
report : — 

Boston, Jan. 30, 1879. 

Commander and Comrades: Your Committee on State Aid would 
respectfully report that, after such deliberation as the brief time allowed 
us will permit, we would respectfully recommend that a committee of 
three be chosen by this Convention, to appear before this legislative 
committee and invite their attention to the following propositions, 
viz. : — 

1. That the Law of 1872 be incorporated into a statute law con- 
taining the following features : — 

That the cities and towns of this Commonwealth shall appropriate 
such sums as may be necessary to be applied to the assistance of needy 
soldiers and sailors and their families through the town or city authori- 
ties, or by a committee to be chosen for that especial purpose. 

2. That no soldier or sailor shall be disfranchised on account of 
receiving such aid. 



350 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



3. Your Committee Avould further recommend that such other 
provisions be incorporated in the Act as they may deem advisable; 
also that the comrades of this Department tender their aid and services 
in carrying out the provisions of this law. 

(Signed) W. D. Cole, Chairman, 

Henry W. Johnson, 
Peter Nolan, 
George H. Teague, 
Thomas H. Hill. 

The report was accepted, the recommendations adopted, and 
the following comrades appointed as the committee of three, viz. : 
John A. Hawes of Post 1, W. D. Cole of Post 18, Thomas H. Hill 
of Post 33. 

On motion of Comrade Geo. S. Evans of Post 30, it was 
voted, That the thanks of the Encampment be extended to the 
retiring Department officers, also to the Officer of the Day, Officer 
of the Guard, and Sentinels, for services rendered. 

The following officers were nistalled by Past Department 
Commander William Cogswell : — 

John G. B. Adams, Department Commander. 

John A. Hawes, Senior Vice Dept. Commander. 

Samuel B. Spooner, Junior Vice Dept. Commander. 

Jolm W. Lee, Chaplain. 

George H. Patch, ~) 

George W. Creasey, > Council of Administration. 

Azel Ames, Jr., ) 

There being no further business to transact, the P^ncamp- 
ment adjourned at 2.40 p.m. 

Attest: JAMES F. MEECH, 

Assistant Adjuta nt- Getu ral. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 351 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1878. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremoni' Street, Room 3, 
General Orders "» Boston, Jan. 30, 1878. 

No. 1. j 

Having been re-elected Commander of this Department of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, I hereby assume the duties of the office. 

Cumradr.<! : This election of the same incumbent for the third terra, 
and by 173 ballots out of 181 cast in the Annual Convention, has dem- 
onstrated a practical unity of sentiment as to the purposes of our 
Order, and especially in regard to a soldiers' home in Massachusetts. 
We have tried all forms of charity for eleven years, and know Avhat we 
need for our disal)led, homeless men. 

In soliciting contributions for our charities, we are only asking 
justice, too long delayed. Our sons will blush for Massachusetts if she 
shall exile to immensely over-crowded national asylums in other States, 
far from friends and kindred, anguished men who have shed their blood 
for her in a war to Avhich the battles of the Revolution Avere but 
skirmish fire, and of whom many are in danger of being buried Avith her 
paupers ; men who helped to save the untold millions of the public funds, 
that would have been worthless if soldiers had forgotten their promises 
to the State; men who, having helped to give suUVage to 700,000 
freedmen, are disfranchised in the poor-houses of Massachusetts today; 
men whom a short-sighted economy would exile a thousand miles from 
nearly three hundred of their own battle-flags, crimsoned Avith their 
blood : battle-flags Avhich the old Bay State exhibits to strangers from 
other lands as trophies of her courage ; — dear, grand old battle-flags, 
Avar-Avorn, shell-shattered, in rags, like the j)aui)er-exiles' Avho bore them. 

To effect our ot)jects Ave must increase our organization by making 
it more beneficial to its members. We ought to double our muster roll. 
To this end a mutual beuellt association Avill l)e at once organized, to 
Avhich none but members of the Grand Army of the Republic, in good 
standing, can belong. An entrance fee of one dollar, and on the death 
of any member of the Benefit Association a further assessment of one 
dime, are suggested as means to furnish a fund for the benefit of the 
family of the deceased, Avith a reserve in the treasury for the support of 
the Soldiers' Home. The larger the membership the greater Avill be the 
benefit assured. The Grand .Vrmy in this Department, by recruiting 
from the other soldiers of the State, could readily increase its muster 
rolls so as to assure the sum of one thousand dollars at least to the 
family of each deceased member. Tlie Council of Administration Avill 
carefully consider all details of the association i)roposed and report to 
the Posts. Meainvhile each Tost is desired to rapidly increase its mem- 
bership, that the beneficial fund may l)e as large as possible. 

II. The Commander atl'ectionately thanks the Officers of the Stafl' 
for their services during the past year, and announces the folloAving 
appointments : — 



352 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R, 



OFFICIAL STAFF. 

James F. Meech of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Edward T. Raymond of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General. 

Samuel Dalton of Post 34, Salem, Inspector. 

Andrew J. Bailey of Post 11, Cliarlestown, Judge Advocate. 

Edmund C. Whitney of Post 43, Marlboro, Chief Mustering Officer. 

They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

Future orders will announce other appointments on tlie Staff. 

III. All official correspondence must be signed by Post Com- 
manders and addressed to the Assistant x\djutant-General (at 53 Tremont 
Street, Room 3), whose office hours will be, as lieretofoi-e, from 10 a.m. 
to 12 M., and from 2 to 4 p.m., except on Sundays and Saturday after- 
noons, when the office will be closed. 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



'' r 

578.J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A R. 

53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 

Boston, March 25, 1878. 

General Orders 1 

No. 2. / 

I. The following comrades are hereby announced on the Staff of 
the Commander, and they will be obeyed and respected accordingly : — 

Thomas Plunkett, West Boylston, Aide-de-Camp. 

A. St. John Cliambre, Franklin, " 

William F. Chaffin, North Easton, " i 

F. L. Harmon, West AVarren, " 
Wm. H. Osborne, East Bridgewater, " 
George L. Sanborn, Holliston, " 
W. C. Litchfield, South Scituate, " 
Charles S. Anthony, Taunton, " 
Leonard C. Lane, Waltham, " 

G. H. Smith, Holyoke, 

Thomas G.^ Carver, Brockton, " 

William B.'Sears, Brookline, " 

Dudley E. Gale, Amesbury, " 

0. B. Wyman, Shrewsbury, " 

Charles Newhall. Danvers, " 

Frank A. Smith, North Brookfield, " 

Albert A. Holt, Quincy, " 

William M. Olin, Roxbury, " 

George iSL Fiske, Medfleld, " 

H. B. Rowley, Shell)urne Falls, " 

II. The Commander gratefully thanks the retired Aides-de-Camp 
for their service during the past term. They will report for duty to 
their respective Posts. 

III. A list of the officers elected at the Annual Encampment of 
this Department, held at Boston, January 16 and 17, appears in the 
roster accompanying tliis order. 

IV. In accordance with Special Order No. 3, from National Head- 
quarters, a new national countersign is hereby transmitted to all Posts 
in this Department. After the countersign is read, the " key" will be at 
once returned to these Headquarters. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



353 



v. As an blanks for " reports " are now furnished free to Posts, 
but only ou proper retpiisitions, Commanders of Posts that have not a 
supply will at once order one year's stock, that there may be no delay in 
promptly makiujj; reports, which are due April 1. Paragraph I., General 
Orders No. 10, Series of 1877, wiU be strictly enforced. 

All remittances for dues and supplies should be made payable to 
the Assistant Adjutant-General. 

VI. Requisitions for Badges that may be required for Memorial 
Day should be forwarded immediately, that a supply may be obtained. 

VII. General Orders Nos. 7 and 8 from National Headquarters are 
hereby promulgated. Special attention is called to General Orders No. 7, 
particularly to Paragraph II. 



By order of 

HORACE BINNEY 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



SARGENT, 

Commander. 



ROSTER, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, G.A.R., 1878. 



Horace Binney Sargent, 
John G. B. Adams, 
John A. Hawes, 
W. Symington Brown, 
William H. Savage, 
Charles W. Slade, 
George H. Patch, 
George W. Creasey, 
J. Frank Dalton, 
George H. Howard, 



Salem, 

Lynn, 

Fair Haven, 

Stonehani, 

Leominster, 

Boston, 

S. Franiingh'm, 

Newburyport, 

Salem, 

E. Cambridge, 



Commander. 

Senior Vice-Commander. 

Junior Vice-Commander. 

Medical Director. 

Chai)lain. 

Council of Administration. 



OFFICIAL STAFF. 



James F. Meech, Boston, 

53 Tremont St., Room 3. 
Edward T. Raymond, Boston, 

53 Tremont St., Room 3. 
Samuel Dalton, Boston, 

218 Congress St. 
Andrew J. Bailey, Boston, 

61 Court St. 
Edmund C. Whitney, Marlboro', 



Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Asst. Quartermaster-General. 

Inspector. 

Judge Advocate. 

Chief Mustering Officer. 



AIDES-DE-CAMP. 



Thomas Plunkett, 
A. St. John Chambre, 
William L. Chatfin, 

F. L. Harmon, 

Wni. H. Osborne, E. 
Geor<;e L. Sanborn, 
W. C. Litchfield, 
Charles S. Anthony, 
Leonard C. Lane, 

G. H. Smith, 

23 



W. Boylston 

Franklin 

N. Easton 

W. Warren 

Bridgewater 

llolliston 

S. Scituate 

Taunton 

Waltham 

Holyoke 



Thomas G. Carver, 
William B. Sears, 
Dudlev E. Gale, 
O. B. Wvman, 
Charles Newhall, 
Frank A. Smith, 
Albert A. Holt, 
William M. Olin, 
George M. Fiske, 
II. B. Rowley, 



Brockton 

Brookline 

Amesbury 

Shrewsbury 

Dan vers 

N. Brook field 

Quincy 

Roxbury 

Medfield 

Shelburne Falls 



354 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. 

Delegates. 

Herbert E. Hill (at large) Somerville. 

M. B. Lakenian, Maiden J. W. Sawyer, Saugus 

E. W. Tliompson, Lowell Jos. 0. Neil, Fall River 

Albert Wood, Worcester Geo. S. Evans, Cambridge 

W. A. Simmons, Boston S. B. Spooner, Springfield 

Alternates. 

C. Frank Luther (at large) N. Adams. 

Arthur M. Holt, Lawrence C. F. Hodgkins, Chelsea 

Amos Bartlett, Webster B. M. Merchant, Fitchburg 

Sam'l C. Wright, Plymouth A. L. Barrett, Orange 

Francis Locke, Jr., Gloucester C. W. Wilcox, Milford 

POSTS. 



No. 


Name of Post. 


Commander. 


1 
2 
3 


Wm. Logan, 


Freeman C. Luce, 


W. A. Bartlett, 


A. B. Hodges, 


4 


U. S. Grant, 


C. B. Baldwin, 


5 


Gen. Lander, 


A. J. Hoitt, 


6 


P. T. Wyman, 


.John Collins, 


7 


Cha«. Rusbell Lowell, 


Thomas J . Tute, 


8 


E. W. Pierce, 


Geo. H. Shaw, '2d. 


9 


Reno, 


A. S. Trowbridge, 


10 


Geo. H. Ward, 


J. K. Churchill, 


11 


Abraham Lincoln, 


John W. Lee, 


12 


Warren, 


George H. Teague, 


13 


Fletcher Webster, 


W. VV. Kidder, 


14 


C. C. Phillips, 


E. A. Putnam, 


1.5 


John A Andrew, 


Geo. J. Hinds, 


16 


E. K. Wilcox, 


S. B. Spooner, 


17 


Gen. Sedsiwick, 


A. L. Barrett, 


IS 


Col. Prescott, 


G. W. Lord, 


19 


Edwin V. Sumner, 


Sidney Sibley, 


20 


H. 8. Greenleaf, 


Henry H. Prouty, 


21 
22 


Maj E. F. Fletcher, 


Henry B. Thayer, 


23 


Joi'eph Hooker, 


Isaac B. Noble, 


24 


A. B. R. Sprague, 


J. K. Axtell, 


25 


H. 11. Legge, 


J. R. Johnson, 


215 


Thos. G. Stevenson, 


P. o'Meara Edson, 


27 


Charles Deveus, 


Geo. W. Warner, 


28 


Geo. D. Wells, 


E. B. Berry, 


29 


F. P. TL Rogers, 


Leonard C. Lane. 


30 


Wm. H. Smart, 


R. F. Tobin, 


31 


Geo. AV. Perry, 


W. H. Osborne, 


3i 


Washington, 


"Dennis Foley, 


33 


Burbank, 


Thos. H. Hill, 


34 


Phil H. Sheridan, 


Chas. J. Saddler, 


35 


Theodore Winthrop, 


Geo. H. Buck, 


30 


E. M. Stanton, 


H. C. Comins, 


37 


F. A. Stearns, 


Jarvis H. Jones, 


3S 


Dexter. 


A. D. Ward, 


39 


Needham, 


D. Johnston, 


40 


Gen. H. G. Berry, 


Geo. VV. McLaughlin, 


41 


Lyon, 


W. J. Mixter, 


42 


B. F. Butler, 


Albert Pinder, 


43 
44 
45 


John A. Rawlins, 


William S. Frost, 


Colonel Allen, 


Chas. H. Pew, 2d, 


4() 


Richard Borden, 


Joseph O.Neil, 


47 


INIaj. How, 


D. Smith Kimball, 


48 


Geo. S. Boutwell, 


William C. Woods, 


49 
50 
51 


A. W. Bartlett, 


Lewis A. Horton, 


Ezra Batcheller, 


Albert H. Foster, 


52 


A. B. Randall, 


William A. Linuehan, 


63 


Chas. H. Stevens, 


J. A. Stratton, 



Town. 

New Bedford, 

Taunton, 

Melrose, 

Lynn, 

Holliston, 

Boston, 

Middleijoro, 

Hudson, 

Worcester, 

Charlet^town, 

Wakefield, 

Brockton, 

Woodville, 

Boston, 

Springfield, 

Orange, 

Ashland 

Fitchburg, 

Colrain, 

Milford. 

East Boston, 

Grafton, 

Uxbridge, 

Roxbury, 

Oxford, 

AV'est Boylston, 

Waltharn, 

Cambridgeport, 

No. Scituate, 

S. Boston, 

Woburn, 

Salem, 

Chelsea, 

Amherst, 

Spencer, 

Brookfield, 

Lawrence, 

Maiden, 

Westfleld, 

Lowell, 

Marlboro. 

Gloucester, 
Fall River, 
Haverhill, 
Ayer, 
Newburyport, 

N. Brookfield, 
S. Easton, 
Leominster, 



Night of Meeting. 
Wednesday. 

Tuesday. 

1st and 3d Tues. 

Thursday. 

Tuesday. 

Friday. 

Saturday. 

Wednesday. 

Thursday. 

1st and 3d Tues. 

2d and 4th Mon. 

Thursday. 

Monday. 

Friday. 

2d and 4th Wed. 

Alt. Fridays. 

Wednesday. 

Thursday. 

1st and 3d Fri. 

Wednesday. 

Tuesday. 

2d and last Mon. 

1st and 3d Tues. 

IMonday. 

Tuesday. 

1st and 3d Wed. 

2d and 4th Fri. 

Thursdiiy. 

1st and 3d Mon. 

1st and 3d Thurs. 

Thursday. 

Tne-^day. 

Thur-day. 

1st Tuesday. 

1st and 3d Thuis. 

1st and 8d Tues. 

Wednesday. 

1st and 3(1 Thurs. 

4th Tuesday. 

Thursday. 

Tuesday! 

Thursday. 
Thursday. 
Tuesday. 
1st Thursday. 
Friday. 

Thursday. 

2d Monday. 

2d and 4th Thurs. 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



355 



No. 


Name of Post. 


Commander. 


Toun. 


Night of Meeting. 


54 


John B. Gough, 


Geo. H. Andrews, 


Berlin, 


l8t and 3d Tucs. 


55 


I. D. Paull, 


Ainsworth Cutler, 


Taunttin, 


Monday. 


5« 


Charles Beck, 


Edmund A . Stone, 


Cambridge, 


Monday. 


57 


P. Stearns Davis, 


Geo. H. Howard, 


E. Cambridge, 


Wednesday. 


58 


Revnold-i, 


Benj. S. Lovell, 


Weymouth, 


1st and 3d Tues. 


5!) 
60 
61 


Maj. J. A. Pratt, 


Geo. E. Davidsoji, 


Sterling, 


1st Saturday. 


Nathaniel Lyon, 


IMichael Schofield, Jr., 


Webster, 


2d and 4th Fri. 


6-2 


Charles Ward, 


W. W. Caruth, 


Newton, 


Ist and 3d Thurs. 


63 


Gen. Wadsworth, 


Royal B. Wight, 


Natick, 


Tuesdav. 


64 


E. D. Baker, 


Jeremiah Stewart, 


Clinton, 


1st and 3d Fri. 


65 


Clara Barton, 


Lyman A. Powers, 


W'arren, 


1st and 3d Wed. 


66 


S. C. Lawrence, 


James A. Hervey, 


Medford, 


2d and 4th Tues. 


67 


Allen, 


Jeffry T. Stanley, 


Manchester, 


Friday. 


68 


Benj. Stone, Jr., 


Henry P. Oakiiian, 
(Neponset) 


Boston, 
(Dorchester) 


1st and 3d Tues 


69 


J. R. Rice, 


Edward P. Miller, 


Westminster, 


Alt. Saturday. 


70 


Geo. A. Custer, 


A. H. P.atchelor, 


Millbury, 


Alt. Monday. 


71 


Kilpatrick, 


E. 1'. Clark, 


Holyoke, 


Tuesday. 


72 


A. St. John Chambre, 


E^dwin M. Norton, 


Stoughton, 


1st and 3d Tues. 


73 


McPherr^on, 


E. H. Atwood, 


Abington, 


Wednesday. 


74 


Hartsuff, 


John H. Harper, 


Rockland, 


Monday. 


75 


J. P. Gould, 


John P. Berry, 


Stoneham, 


Monday. 


76 


Collingwood, 


Frank A . Jolinson, 


Plymouth, 


Wednesday. 


77 


Theron E. Hall, 


Hiram P. Newell, 


Holden, 


1st Saturday. 


78 


David A. Russell, 


Jerome Washburn, 


S. Abington, 


Tue-day. 


79 


Chas. D. Sanford, 


C. Frank Luther, 


N. Adams, 


Friday. 


80 


Joseph Miller, 


Dexter Burnett, 


S. Hadley, 


1st Saturday. 


81 


Isaac B. I'atten, 


J. E. Lovering, 


Watertown, 


Ist and 3d Fri. 


82 


John Goodwin, Jr., 


Joseph Gregory, 


Marblehead. 


Thursday. 


83 


J. E. Wilder, 


R. C. Wateiman, 
Chas. S. Babcock, 


Hanover, 


Last Tuesday. 


84 


M. E. Stowell, 


Deerfield, 


Friday. 


85 


J. VV. Lawton, 


Aram Warliurton, 


Ware, 


2d and 4th Thur. 


86 


Henry Wilson, 


A. D. Holt, 


Maynard, 


1st Thursday. 


87 


Gen. S. Thayer, 


Willium L. (^age. 


Braintree, 


Friday. 


8S 


Paul Revere, 


S. B. Turner. 


Quincy, 


Tuesdav. 


8'.) 


J. IL Chapman, Jr., 


Henry P. Woodbury, 


Beverly, 


Thursday. 


(10 


War.l, 


Joseph Blake, 


Danvers, 


Monday. 


91 


E. P. Carpenter, 


H. P. Fisher, 


Foxboro, 


2d and 4th Fri. 


92 


Franf.is Washburn, 


M. Coyle, Jr., 


Brighton, 


1st and 3d Mon. 


93 


Ozro Miller, 


Geo. R. I'eirce, 


Shelburne Falls, 


Tuesday. 


94 


Revere, 


A. A. Harrington, 


Canton, 


2d and last Thur. 


95 


Gen. E. W. Hinks, 


J. W. Sawyer. 


Saugus, 


2d and 4th Mon. 


96 


Joe Johnson, 


F. M. Harrington, 


Northboro, 


1st Monday. 


97 


E. J. Griggs, 


Myron Barton, 


Belchertown, 


1st Mond.iy. 


98 


J. D. Mirick, 


E."E. Sawyer, 


Princeton, 


1st Saturday. 


it9 


Calvin Cutter, 


E. Rycrott, 


West Warren, 


2d and 4th Mon. 


100 




John F, Ridly, 


Methuen, 


Tuesday. 


101 
102 


Charles Sumner, 


L. H. HopKirison, 


Groveland, 


Thursday. 


103 
1114 
1(15 
106 
107 
lOS 


E. Humphrey, 


E. T. Bouvu, 


Hingham, 


1st Thursday. 


Everett Peabody, 


H. N. Harriman, 


Georgetown, 


2d and last Tues. 


109 


Ericsson, 


Joel Whitney, 


E. Templeton, 


T^ast Friday. 


no 


Capt. Horace Niles, 


Galen Holli.", 


Randoliih, 


1st Friday. 


111 


J. E. Simmons, 


Miles Sampson, 


Pembroke, 


1 and 3d Sat. 


112 


D. Williard Robinson, 


<>. B. Prouiy, 


S. Scituate, 


2d and last INIon. 


113 


E. W. Kinsley, 


Nathan AiMileton, 


Boston, 


2d Wednesdaj'. 


114 


Col. C. R. Mudge, 


A. -ludson Sawyer, 


Merrimac, 


1st and 3d Fri. 


115 


E. S. Clark, 


M. P. Palmer, 


Groton, 


l-:t Saturday. 


116 


D. (}. Farragut, 


O. F. Smith, 


Gardner, 


Wednesday. 


117 


>Ioses Ellis, 


William F. Guild, 


Medlield, 


2d Monday. 


IIS 


James L. Bates, 


M. E. Porter. 


Swampscott, 


Monday. 


119 
120 
121 


Geo. C. Meade, 


L. G. Babcock, 


Lexington. 




H. A. Darling, 


R. F. Bovnton, 


Hyde Park, 


.3d Monday. 


122 


E. P. Wallace, 


J. O. Currier, 


Aniesbury, 


Monday. 


123 


Parker, 


Henry T. Morse, 


Athol, 


Thursd'ay. 


124 


Justin Diniick, 


Chas. P. Lyon, 


E. Bridgewater, 


IstandlastThur. 


125 


N. B. Shurtletf, Jr., 


William H. Synies, 


S. Boston, 


Tuesday. 


126 


George E. Sayles, 


I. E. Courtney, 


S. Adams, 


Thursd'ay. 


127 
128 


T. L. Bouuey, 


John Berker, 


Hanson, 


1st Monday. 



356 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Kame of Post. 
Swift, 

Geo. H. Thomas, 
G. M. Dodge, 

Robt. A. Bell, 
E. A. Andrews, 
Geo. C. Marshall, 



Ko 

129 

130 

131 

132 

133 

134 

135 

136 

137 

138 

139 W. C. Kinsley, 

140 

141 

142 

143 

144 

145 

146 

147 

148 

149 

150 

151 Major Boyd, 



D. B. Eames, 
C. L. Chandler, 
Chas. \\. Carroll, 
Will. A. Streeter, 
R. G. Shaw, 

A. D.Weld, 

Maj. G. L. Stearns, 



Commander. 
Wm. H. Tallman, 

Henry L. Watson, 
W. R. Armstrong, 

Thomas Ilanimond, 
Fred Bartlett, 
C. II. Wesson, 

Geo. B. Clarke, 



Geo. H. Patch, 
Thos. H. Talbot, 
David L. Hodges, 
Will. J. Thonii>.son, 
Geo. T. Fisher, 

S. C. Small, 
Ora Holman, 

Orrin Warren, 



Town. 
Somerset, 

Leicester, 
Peabody, 

Boston, 

Shrewsbury, 

Rutland, 



Somerville, 



S. Framingham, 
Brookline, 
Dedhani, 
Attleboro, 
New Bedford, 

Winchester, 
Charlestown, 



Night ofMeetinxf. 
Ist Wednesday. 

2d and4thTues. 
Monday. 

Thursday. 

Last Wednesday. 

1st Saturday. 

1st, 2d, 3d Wed. 



Saturday. 
Alt. Wednesdays 
2d and 4th Fri. 
2d and 4th iNIon. 
Last Thursday. 

Ist and 3d Tues. 
Wednesday. 



West Newbury, 2d and 4th Sat. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, May 4, 1878. 

No. 3. / 

In accordance with Rules and Regulations and General Orders No. 
10, from National Headquarters, the Posts of this Department of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, under their respective Commanders, will 
celebrate Thursday, May 30, 1878, as the annual Memorial Day. 

Not a grave should be neglected. But extravagant expenditure is 
illtiraed. National legislation has ruined hundreds of thousands. A 
too lavish expenditure of money, even upon the heroes to 'vvhom the 
mother earth of Massachusetts has given a soldiers' home that does not 
tax her treasury and is never full, Avould painfully contrast with our 
prayer that she shall make some honorable and justly generous provision 
for two hundred Avar-worn men, disfranchised in the poor-houses of the 
State. 

New graves await our tribute ; new and splendid monuments to the 
dead attest the patriotism of towns and cities and their pride in all 
you have done. Memory is more immortal than marble and bronze. 
You will not forget your companions in sutler ing and glory. Never for- 
get. Let the drum and bugle, as they thrill us with the old joy, solemnly 
recall the grand brotherhood of the past. In Fraternity, Charity and 
Loyalty, open your ranks to the brave. The tattered banner, which the 
State cherishes as a trophy, is sublimed by the spirit that bore it. The 
standard bearer, in rags, ought never to seem a burden to a saved Com- 
monwealth. 

Comrades: You have been true to the State and the Nation. You 
are tender and true to the living and dead. Be proudly true and just to 
yourselves as men who have a right to remind the politicians of Massa- 
chusetts, in whose borders you wish to live and die, that you gave to her 
all that man could give in the strength of your manhood and the day of 
her fear, when John Albion Andrew folded the now ragged regiments to 
his heart, and the people, in tears, thanked God that no other State 
could claim you as sons. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



THIRTEENTH AKNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 357 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R.,"! 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, >• 
General Orders ) Boston, June 28, 1878. J 

No. 4. / 

I. The failure of the late Legislature to appropriate money for a 
soldiers' home in Massachusetts compels the Grand Army to make a 
more determined effort than ever to establish such an institution. Posts 
should at once form canvassing committees of patriotic men and women 
in every city and town to collect subscriptions. 

The Board of Trustees of a Soldiers' Home is now fully organized 
with the following officers : — 

Horace Biuney Sargent, President. 
James F. Meech, Secretary. 

Hon. William Gaston, Treasurer. 

II. In order to facilitate the consolidation of Adjutants' and Quarter- 
masters' reports, and to enable the Assistant Adjutant-General to prepare 
and forward his report before the " twentieth day after the beginning of 
each quarter," all Post reports must be at these Headquarters on or 
before the 15th day after the beginning of each quarter. 

III. The Department of Pennsylvania, G.A.R., has arranged for a 
week's encampment on the battlefield of Gettysburg, beginning Satur- 
day, July 20. All comrades of this Department are most cordially 
invited. 

IV. Post 100 of Methuen having adopted the name of Col. AVilliam 
B. Greene, the same is hereby approved. 

V. A charter has been granted for a new Post in Southboro, to be 
known as George Wesley Nichols Post No. 44; A. B. Jones, Commander. 

********* 
By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 



Assistant Adjutant- General. 



^78.) 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
Circular \ Boston, Aug. 1, 1878. 

No. 1. I 

Comrades : The last Legislature of Massachusetts, instead of grant- 
ing our prayer for aid to establish a soldiers' home in this State, passed 
a bill, a copy of which is herewith annexed : — 

[CHAP. 282.] 

An Act to provide additional pay to poor and indifjent soldiers and 
sailors. Be it enacted, etc., as follows: — 

Section 1. Every city and town in which any soldiers or sailors 
reside who have served" in the army or navy of the United States to the 
credit of this Commonwealth, and been honorably discharged therefrom, 
and are not entitled to admission to any National Soldiers' Home, and 
who are poor and indigent and stand in need of relief, shall raise money 
by taxation or otherwise; and as further compensation for such service 
shall, under the direction of its mayor and aldermen or selectmen, pay to 
such soldiers or sailors, or if deemed best expend therefor, such neces- 
sary sum of money as will furnish them reasonable relief or support; 
and no such soldier or sailor sliall be required to receive such relief or 
support in any almshouse or in any public institution unless he chooses 
to do so, or his physical or mental condition requires it ; and all sums of 



358 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



money so paid out or expended shall be reimbursed by the Common- 
wealth to such city or town in the manner State aid is now reimbursed. 
And any such soldier or sailor requirina; full support may select the 
place where he will be supported : prorkled, the cost of such support at 
the place selected shall not exceed the fair average cost of reasonable 
support for persons of like degree in life, in such city or town ; and any 
city or town violating any of the provisions of this act shall be liable in 
an action of contract to any persons furnishing such relief or support, 
after written notice to such mayor or selectmen that the same is to be 
furnished. 

Sect. 2. It shall be the duty of the Surgeon-General of the Com- 
monwealth to inquire as to the number of indigent soldiers or sailors 
now receiving public aid throughout the Commonwealth, ar^d include in 
Ills next annual report such facts as he may gather in regard to the con- 
dition and necessities of such persons. 

Sect. 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage. [Approved 
May 17, 1878.] 

This bill leaves much uncertain. It is not easy, without submitting 
an application to the Surgeon-General, William J. Dale, to decide whether 
an applicant for aid is " not entitled to admission to any National Soldiers' 
Home"; nor is there any evident test of the "physical or mental con- 
dition " referred to in the bill ; nor is it clear what sum is suited to 
any particular "degree in life." 

As in service it became our duty to make inefficient orders efficient 
by double effort on our own part, we must now try to make this avail. 
Watch the poorhouses. Besiege the town and city governments. 
Having carefully convinced yourselves of the validity of claims in each 
case, and having notified the proper officials in legal form, compel respect 
for the law. It may be necessary to advance the re(iuisite sum from your 
relief fund and recover by an action of contract under this statute. The 
suffering men who were hired in gold, paid in depreciated paper, and 
never attempted to corner Uncle Sam by even re-establishing the original 
contract for coin or gold, demand your legal assistance. That a Union 
soldier who gave suffrage to slaves should be a disfranchised pauper in the 
workhouse is a disgrace, and will yet come home as an avenging curse to 
Massachusetts. The statute for the relief of indigent soldiers must be 
enforced, cost what it may. Your instant and constant attention is 
demanded to relieve disaliled soldiers who cannot work from a position 
where they are subject to threats of punishment by workhouse officials. 

If Posts are liot convened during the summer vacation, their com- 
manders should at once take proper steps to make the bill referred to as 
effective as possible. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James Y. Meech, Comiuander. 

Assistant Adjutant-Geiipral. 



5.A.R.,1 

)M 3, \ 
2; 1878. J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 

53 Tkemont Street, Room 

Boston, Aug. 2-, 

General Orders \ 

No. 5. J 

I. Commanders of Posts are earnestly reminded that reports 
must be promptly transmitted. A great improvement in punctuality is 
observed ; but a few delinquents yet mar the standing of the Department. 
Comrades, your sense of honor is depended on to enable the Assistant 
Adjutant-General to comply with the peremptory orders of the Com- 



41, 


Westfleld, 


82, 


Marblehead, 


87, 


Braintree, 


134, 


Boston, 


143, 


Brookline, 


14G, 


New Bedford, 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 359 



mander-in-Chief. It is a matter of official and personal re.^ret to pub- 
lish tlie following Posts and Commanders as delinquents in the reports 
due July 1 : — 

Post 41, Westfleld, W. J. Mixter, Commander. 

Joseph Gregory, " 

William L. Gage, " 

Thomas Hammond, " 

Thomas H. Talbot, " 

George T. Fisher, " 

II. General Orders No. 2, from National Headcpiarters, is hereby 
transmitted, together with a slip containing errata in i)age 522 of Pro- 
ceedings of National Encampment for 1878. Attention is also called to 
Circular No. 1, inclosed. 

********* 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SAKGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tkemont Stueet, Room 3, 

Boston, Sept. 30, 1878. 
General Orders"! 

No. 6. J 

The following Department officers have been detailed to inspect the 
Posts whose numbers appear against their names. They will be obeyed 
and respected accordingly : — 

Senior Vice Department Commander, John G. B. Adams : 12, 34, 49, 
57, 58, 08, 75, 82, 87, 88, 1)5, 134. 

Junior Vice Department Commander, John A. Hawes : 3, 8, 13, 46, 
52, 55, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 83, 111, 112, 124, 127, 145, 146. 

Assistant Adjutant-General, James F. Meech: 16, 17, 20, 36, 41, 69, 
71, 77, 79, 80, 84. 85, 93, 97, 98, 109, 116, 121, 123, 126, 136. 

Department Inspector, Samuel Dalton : 1, 5, 7, 15, 19, 23, 26, 94, 
113, 132. 

Chief Mustering Officer, E. C. Whitney : 9, 142. 

Council of Administration, George 11. Patch: 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 
25, 27, 28, 37, 38, 43, 44, 48, 51, 53,54, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70, 81, 86, 91, 
92, 99, 115, 117, 131, 135. 

Council of Administration, George W. Creasey : 32, 39, 47, 100, 101, 
108, 114, 122, 125, 151. 

Council of Administration, J. Frank Dalton : 31, 35, 40, 42, 45, 67, 
89, 90. 104, 118. 

Council of Administration, George II. HoAvard : 4, 11, 29, 30, 33, 56, 
66, 110, 119, 138, 143, 144, 148, 149. 

As this system of inspection Ayill bring a great amount of work to 
the officers, it is hoped that the benefit to Posts will be of equal 
importance. 

It may be necessary in some instances to call special meetings of 
Posts : therefore commanders of Posts will govern themselves accord- 
ingly. 

The traveling expenses of the officers will be borne by the Depart- 
ment; but all local expenses will bo paid by the Post visited. At each 
inspection the complete ceremony will be shown, including muster-in; 
and all books and papers of the Post, including records of the Relief 
Committee or Trustees, must be presented for inspection. A statement 
of amount expended for relief, for the year ending September 30, will be 
required. 



360 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Inspectors will insist upon a strict compliance with Section 1, 
Article VII., Chapter V., General Rules, Rules and Regulations. 

All Posts that have contributed to the relief of the Post at New 
Orleans, and have not reported to these Head(|uarters the amount, will 
do so at once, in compliance with Circular No. 1, from National Head- 
quarters. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
Circular"* Boston, Oct. 15, 1878. 

No. 2. / 

Comrades: The Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1877, referred to 
the next General Court the petition of more than 20,000 soldiers and 
voters in aid of the prayer of this Department of the Grand Army of 
the Repul)lic for an appropriation of $100,000 to establish a soldiers' 
home in this State. Instead of making the appropriation, the Com- 
mittee reported and the Legislature passed the following bill for the 
relief of poor and indigent soldiers and sailors : — 

[chap. 282.] 

An Act to provide additional pay to poor and indigent soldiers and 
sailors. Be it enacted, etc.', asfolloios: — 

Section 1. Every city and town in which any soldiers or sailors 
reside who have served in the army or navy of the United States to the 
credit of this Commonwealth, and been honorably discharged therefrom, 
and are not entitled to admission to any national soldiers' home, and 
who are poor and indigent and stand in need of relief, shall raise money 
by taxation or otherwise ; and as further compensation for such service, 
shall, under the direction of its mayor and aldermen or selectmen, pay 
to such soldiers or sailors, or if deemed best expend therefor, such 
necessary sum of money as will furnish them reasonable relief or sup- 
port; and no such soldier or sailor shall be required to receive such 
relief or support in any almshouse or in any public institution unless he 
chooses to do so, or his physical or mental condition requires it; and all 
sums of money so paid out or expemled shall be reimbursed by the Com- 
monwealth to such city or town in the manner state aid is now reim- 
bursed. And any such soldier or sailor requiring full support may select 
the place where he Avill be supported ; prorided, the cost of such support 
at the place selected shall not exceed the fair average cost of reasonable 
support for persons of like degree in life in such city or town ; and any 
city or town violating any of the provisions of this act shall be liable in 
an action of contract to any persons furnishing such relief or support, 
after written notice to such mayor or selectmen that the same is to be 
furnished. 

Sect. 2. It shall be the duty of the Surgeon-General of the Com- 
monwealth to inquire as to the number of indigent soldiers or sailors 
now receiving public aid throughout the Commonwealth, and include in 
his next annual report such facts as he may gather in regard to the 
condition and necessities of such persons. 

Sect. 3. This Act shall take eflect upon its passage. [Approved 
May 17, 1878.] 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 361 



This bill -was, of course, intended to be enforced and immediately 
operative, to give " full support" Avhere necessary at the place selected 
by the beneticiary, "provided the cost of such supi)ort at the place 
selected shall not exceed the fair average cost of reasonable support for 
persons in like degree of life in such city or town." No pauper dole, at 
starvation prices, is implied or expressed by the bill. 

So far as I know this bill was not passed at the solicitation or sug- 
gestion of any officer of this Department. In practice, the Avorking of 
this law is unsatisfactory to the applicants for relief, and entails con- 
siderable burdens on the Commonwealth which a soldiers' home would 
have spared. The beneficiaries under this law are painfully reminded 
that they are paupers, and the agents of the law are deficient in that 
knowledge of applicants which the system of the Grand Army furnishes 
to the Department. By the ruling of the Auditor, Hon. Julius L. Clarke, 
the most necessitous and meritorious recipient of the smallest pension is 
excluded from the benefits of the law, on the ground that a pensioner is 
entitled to admission to the national homes. The hardship of this ruling 
is evident, when Ave reflect that the Avar left thirty-five times as many 
men. Avhose Avounds might entitle them to pensions, as the national 
homes can now accommodate; and that the opinion of a supervising 
board as to the eligibility of an applicant for admission must be ob- 
tained. It is not certain in any case, at tlrst sight, Avhether an applicant 
for relief under the statute above quoted can enter a national home, and 
he may die of starvation Avhile his application is pending. Moreover, a 
man Avith a family, if he is entitled to admission to a national home, can 
receive no relief under this statute. 

Some of the towns and cities are disposed to complain of the burden 
that the statute imposes, and dole out a stingy relief Avith an unAvilling 
hand. Some of the Posts are timid in demanding an enforcement of the 
rights of their indigent comrades under the laAV. This is all Avrong ; and 
Posts are earnestlj'^conjured to assist their indigent members in assert- 
ing their rights. If towns and cities are disposed to carry out the laAv, 
it must be carried out under the provisions of the last part of the first 
paragraph. It is believed that a fair representation of the ofl3cers of any 
Postlhat any soldier or sailor requires a full Aveekly support Avill be cor- 
dially met by the toAvn or city authorities. It is not their money that we 
ask, "but a part of the sum levied by taxation under the authority that has 
provided this form of relief instead of that Avhich 20,000 soldiers and 
voters desired. As the great charitable soldier organization of the State, 
it is our duty to supply the necessary aid from our relief funds and ask 
reimbursement under the laAV. Instead of begging money at fairs, Ave 
are entitled, as every charitable individual is entitled, to furnish the 
necessary supplies to any soldier or sailor Avhose case comes Avithin this 
statute, and after due notice to receive reimbursement for the outlay. 
Properly managed, the G. A. R. Posts may be of infinite assistance to the 
tOAvn and city authorities by discriminating betAveen those Avorthy ob- 
jects that re(|"uire a more liberal alloAvance than is noAV dispensed, and 
those less deserving, Avhose unjust demands diminish a provision in- 
tended as the payment of a just debt of patriotism. 

Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 

Cummander. 
James F. Meech, 

A!isista7it Adjutant-General. 



362 



EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.E., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, Nov. 18, 1878. 

No. 7. i 

I. Comrade Samuel B. Spooner of Post 16, of Springfield, is hereby 
appointed Chief Mustering Officer, vice Edmund C. Whitney, resigned. 

Comrade Spooner will be obeyed and respected accordingly. The 
thanks of the Commander are cordially expressed to Comrade Whitney 
for his past service. 

Posts 9 and 142, which were to be inspected by Comrade Whitney, 
as announced in General Orders No. G, will be inspected by the Assistant 
A d j utant-Gener al . 

II. The attention of commanders and surgeons of Posts is called 
to Circular No. 1, from the Surgeon-General's office, dated Oct. 26, 1878, 
which is hereby forwarded to Posts. Blanlis of Form F, on which the 
annual report is to be made, are herewith inclosed. This report must 
accompany the Adjutant's and Quartermaster's reports for fourth quarter, 
1878. Only those wounded comrades are to be reported who Avere 
omitted last year and those who have lieen admitted this year. A copy 
of this report must be retained in the Medical Descriptive Book of the 
Post. In case a Post has no wounded comrades to report, the blank, F, 
will be returned to these Headciuarters so endorsed. 

III. Posts must bear in mind that the first meeting in December 
is the time appointed for the election of Post officers and representatives 
to the Department Encampment. A blank is herewith inclosed on which 
Posts are to make the return of election of Post commander and dele- 
gates and alternates. Be sure to give name and post-office address of 
new Post commander on this blank. The number of delegates to 
which each Post is entitled shall be determined by the number of com- 
rades reported in good standing on reports for quarter ending September 
30. (See amendments to Rules and Regulations adopted June 4, 1878. 
Copy inclosed.) The basis of representation remains as heretofore. 

IV. The order announcing mustering officers will be issued early 
in December, and the chief will be governed by the wishes of Posts in 
their selection, when practicable. Recommendations must be forwarded 
on or before December 20. 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meecii, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters Dept. or Mass., G.A.R. , 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders) Boston, Dec. 27, 1878. 

No. 8. f 

I. The following-named comrades are hereby detailed as muster- 
ing officers, and will install the officers of the Posts whose numbers 
appear against their names : — 

George E. Dean, Taunton, 3; George W. Creasey, Newburyport, 5, 
114; John Scates, South Boston, 7; Theodore L. Kelly, Boston, 15; 
Charles H. Foss, Fitchburg, 19; Henry B. Hibben, Scituate, 31; Charles 
F. Hodgkins, Chelsea, 35; C. H. Richardson, Lowell, 42; H. C. Sherwin, 
Ayer, 48 ; G. W. Rockwood, Sterling, 5!) ; H. H. Hitchcock, West Warren, 
65; A. M. Parker, Worcester, 70; M. J. Ferren, Stoneham, 75; A. C. 
Brigham, South Abington, 78; J. G. B. Adams, Lynn, 88; C. B. Baldwin, 
Meirose, 95; Robert H. Shields, Haverhill, 100; W. C. Litchfield, S. 
Scituate, 112; Dudley E. Gale, Amesbury, 122; J. W. Sawyer, Saugus, 
4; John A. Hawes, Fairhaven, 8, 13; John L. Knight, Springfield, 16; 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 3G3 

Henry B. Peircc. Abington, 30; Charles 11. Chase, Salem, U; J. A. 
Josselju, Brooktiekl, 38; E. C. Whitney, Marlboro, 43; Geo. S. Evans, 
Cambridge, 50, 57, 142 ; A. G. Forbush, Ashland, G3 ; Lysander Wood, 
Stoughton, 72; Charles 11. Leonard, Plymouth, 7G; Charles Stowell, S. 
Deerfleld, 84; J. Frank Dalton, Salem, 90, 132; Lyman A. Powers, 
Warren, 99; M. V. Bonney, Hanover, 111; Charles 'Grey, Athol, 123; 
W. W. Woodbury, Somerville, 139; William S. Brown, Boston, 125; J. 
T. Wilson, Winchester, 14.S. 

II. Post Commanders will at once put themselves in communication 
with their mustering oflicers, giving time and place of installation. In 
case of the absenc^e of the comrade designated above for anv Post, and 
where no comrade has been assigned, any past Post commander in good 
standing (except the retiring commander) may act. In no case will the 
officers of any Post be installed until all reports and dues have been for- 
warded. (See page 7 of the Service Book.) 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
Samuel B. Spooner, Commander. 

Chief ^Hstfrin;/ Officer, 

James F. Meech, 

Assista nt Adjuta nt- Ge neral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 27, 1878. 

No. 9. J 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department will be convened in 
Araory Hall (corner Washington and West Streets), Boston, on Wednes- 
day, Jan. 29, 1879, at 7 o'clock p.m., for the election of Department 
officers and the transaction of such other business as may come before 
it. Posts are entitled to the following ratio of representation : One 
delegate for every fifty members reported in good standing September 
30, with one additional for a final fraction of more than half that num- 
ber; but each Post, whatever its numbers, shall be entitled to at least 
one delegate. Post commanders are members of the Encampment by 
virtue of their office. 

II. The Commander of Post 7 will detail an Officer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard, and at least sis Sentinels for duty during the 
Encampment. The Officer of the Day will report to the Assistant Adju- 
tant-Genenal at 0.30 p.m., on the 29th, at the Hall, for instructions. 

III. The adjutant's, (luartermaster's, and surgeon's reports, lO- 
gether with all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to Depart- 
ment Encampment, should be forwarded to these Headtpiarters on or 
before Jan. 10, 1879. The Rules require the exclusion from the Encamp- 
ment of any Post failing to make complete returns, especially surgeon's 
report on . Form F. Every Post has received one of the surgeon's 
blanks, which is to be filled out in accordance with Circular No. 1, dated 
Oct. 20, 1878, from the Surgeon-Generai's office. Tlu- blank for report- 
ing delegates and alternates, that has been furnished to Posts, nuist give 
name and post-ofiice address of new Post commander; but this blank, 
as well as the adjutant's and quartermaster's reports for the fourth 
quarter, must be signed by the officers of 1878. 

IV. Section 1, Article II., Chapter V., Rules and Regulations, 
provides that Post commanders shall forward at the close of each quar- 
ter, with the quarterly returns, " the names of any members of his Post 



364 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



in good standing wlio liave held the position of Commander-in-Chief, 
Senior Vice-Coramander-in-Chief, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Cliief, of 
the National Encampment, or of Department Commander, and a list of 
the names of rejected applicants" for the quarter. 

::■********■ 

By order of 

HORACE BINNEY SARGENT, 
James F. Meech, Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General 








JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 

DEPARTIVIENT COMMANDER, 

1879. 



PROCEEDPNGS 

OF THE 

ENCAMPMENT AT LYNN, 
1880. 



JANUARY 28.— EVENING SESSION. 

The Encampment assembled in Odd Fellows Hall, and was 
called to order by Commander John G. B. Adams. 

The Officer of the Day reported with the Officer of the Guard 
and eight comrades, for guard duty. 

The front hall was cleared and the guard posted ; and upon 
the roll being called by the Assistant Adjutant-General, the 
following Department officers, and past Department commanders, 
together with 237 delegates, responded to their names: — 

Commander, John G. B. Adams. 

Senior Vice-Commander, John A. Hawes. 

Chaplain, John W. Lee. 

f George H. Patch, 
J. Frank Dalton, 

Council of Administration : \ George H. Howard, 

I Azel Ames, Jr., 
1^ John F. Bruce. 

Assistant Adjutant-General, James F. Meech. 

Assistant Quartermaster-General, p]. T. Raymond. 

Inspector, George W. Creasey. 

Judge Advocate, Giles H. Rich. 

Chief Mustering Officer, Charles W. Wilcox. 

Past Department Commanders : | William Cogswell 

^ ( George S. Merrill. 

After prayer by Department Chaplain John W. Lee, the 
Department Commander announced that if there was no objection 
the guard would admit to the gallery all comrades who gave the 
National countersign. There being no objection, the guard was 
so ordered. 

365 



366 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

On motion, it was voted to dispense with the reading of 
the records of last Encampment. 

The next business being the reports of Department officers, 
preceded by the 

ADDRESS OF COMMANDER JOHN G. B. ADAMS. 

Comrades : 

We meet today in goodly numbers in the Thirteenth Annual 
Convention of this Department, to review the work of the past 
year, and deliberate and take council together upon matters of 
interest to our Order that demand attention. When I assumed 
command of the Department, Feb. 1, 1879, we numbered seven 
thousand six hundred (7, GOO) comi-ades. I felt that the gradual 
loss of members that had continued since 1874 must stop — that 
we must turn our faces once more to the front and move foruard. 
In General Order No. 1 I called the attention of the Department 
to the necessity of recruiting, and by hard earnest work, not only 
of Department officers, but of Post commanders and individual 
comrades, we have succeeded, and for the lirst time in five years 
report a gain of five hundred and sixty-seven comrades. 

We shall not rest heTe. In a State that sent more than one 
hundred and fifty-niue thousand (159,000) soldiers and sailors to 
the war, within whose borders not less than sixty thousand 
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors now reside, the Grand 
Army of the Republic should not number less than twenty 
thousand comrades. And we can reach that number if we work 
together to accomplish it. If it is good and profitable for you 
and me, my comrades, to work in this cause, it is good for every 
man that wore the "Union Blue" to be enrolled under our 
banner ; and I urge you to continuously labor to again place 
Massachusetts in the proud position she once held — the largest 
Department in the Union. 

Accompanied by Department officers and members of my 
personal staff, I have attended thirty-seven camp-fires, officially 
opened six fairs, and reviewed the Posts of Plymouth and Essex 
Counties. August 29, visited the camp of Plymouth County 
Posts at Brant Rock, remaining in gamp over night. The camp 
was laid out in military order, and the discipline and appearance 
of the Posts were, excellent. I have observed more than ever 
before that " Fraternity, without regard to former rank, was the 
broad foundation stone upon which our Order rests," as the former 
privates and non-commissioned officers put on airs at Head- 
quarters, while colonels, majors, etc., brought wood and water 
for the cooks. The encampment was held three days, and was 
successful in every respect. In this connection I would respect- 
fully call the attention of the Convention to the subject of a State 
Encampment the coming year. 



FOUUTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 367 

It is a matter that has been considered by Depariment offi- 
cers, and I think they are unanimous in recommending it. In no 
way could we so well revive the scenes and incidents of army life ; 
and as it has been successfully carried on in other Departments, 
1 think we should not hesitate to tr}^ it in this. If this suggestion 
meets with your favorable consideration, steps sh<nild immediately 
be taken ; and we nuist depend upon the State for camp equipage, 
and our petition should be presented at once. Believing that such 
an encampment would result in great good to our Order, I leave 
the matter for the consideration of the Convention. 

September 25, I reviewed the Posts of Essex County at 
Danvers. Nearly seven hundred comrades were in line, and 
their excellent marching and soldierly bearing proved that they 
had not forgotten the lessons learned in army life. I can only 
repeat what has been said by other commanders, " Essex County 
always does well." 

The receipts of fairs and other entertainments held by the 
several Posts to replenish their charity funds have been large i' 
than ever before. And the public have shown by the generous 
support they have given us, that they are in full sympathy with 
our objects. City and town officials have, in many cases, ren- 
dered valuable assistance to Posts, while His Excellency Governor 
Talbot honored our Order by accepting many invitatious to our 
gatherings, and cheered the hearts of comrades by his presence 
and many kind words of sympathy and encouragement spoken. 
Comrades, let us ever conduct ourselves, as an oi'ganization, so 
that in the future, as in the past, we shall merit and receive 
the support of all good citizens of our loved Commonwealth. 

Decoration Day was observed with more than usual interest 
the past year, many towns observing it for the first time. This, 
my comrades, to us is a sacred day ; and it is our duty, by all 
honorable means, to see that it is sacredly observed. Last year, 
for the first time, man}' of the retail stores in Boston and other 
cities remained open, thereby depriving comrades in their employ of 
uniting with their Posts. In my opinion, the observance of this 
day does much to keep the spirit of loyalty alive in the hearts of 
the people. It recalls to their minds the sufferings, sacrifices and 
devotion of our own dead comrades — calls their attention to 
their widows and orphans, and the maimed and helpless living, 
who, when our land was in danger, did not count the cost, but 
gave up the ties of home and friends, and by their valor saved the 
nation's life. When the dark cloud of war was hanging over our 
country in 18G1, Governor Andrew, believing that the observance 
of the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans would arouse the 
people to deeds of patriotism, caused salutes to be fired in Boston 
and sixteen other cities and towns in the State. So we, to keep 
alive this spirit of loyalty, which is one of the cardinal principles 



368 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

of our Order, should see that Decoration Day is properly oDserved. 
Aud in order that our comrades may not be again deprived of 
participating in its ceremonies, I would recommend that we peti- 
tion the Legislature that the 30th of May be set apart as a 
"Memorial Day" in this Commonwealth. 

The National Encampment was attended by a full delegation 
from this Department with the exception of the Junior Vice- 
Commander. The delegates acted together upon all important 
questions, meeting before the Convention aud at the intermissions, 
settling all differences of opinion, so that all questions were 
thoroughly understood when voted upon. I trust the same care 
will be used this year in the selection of delegates. Select those 
who can attend and will guard with care the interests of the 
Department. While the report of the Adjutant-General ranks 
this Department third in point of numbers, it also shows that we 
expend more for charity than all the other Departments com- 
bined. 

The past year has been no exception to previous years in 
regard to the annual cry, " The Grand Army is a political organi- 
zation." Some irresponsible reporter will say that our Order is 
" solid " for this or that candidate ; and immediately members of 
the Order rush into print : some to deny the statement, others to 
report that they have canvassed their respective Posts, and give 
figures as to how they stand. 

I hope no comrade will ever again undertake to defend our 
Order in this respect. If the fact that we have raised and ex- 
pended nearly four hundred thousand dollars the past thirteen 
years for charity does not prove to the public that we have 
enough to do without meddling with party politics, no newspaper 
correspondence will convince them ; and in my opinion silence in 
regard to this matter is the better course. Let our works speak 
for us. I believe no comrade would use the Order for partisan 
purposes if he could ; and, from an intimate acquaintance with 
the comrades, am very sure he could not if he would. 

While we take no part in politics as an organization, let us 
as individuals " Remember always that by eternal vigilance alone 
can national liberty be maintained," and as American citizens 
cast our ballots so that we would not hesitate, if called upon, to 
" back them up " with our bayonets. 

I feel that I should be remiss in duty did I not call the 
attention of comrades to the assistance we are receiving from the 
ladies' societies connected with the Posts. While many Posts 
have had auxiliary corps connected with them for years, it was 
thought by some that a better work could be accomplished if these 
were brought together as a state organization. And last year the 
" Ladies' State Relief Corps" was organized. I think the result 
has been all that could be desired. Several new corps have been 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 369 

organizerl nnd, as far as I can learn, are rendering valuable 
assistance to Posts ; and I urge comrades to give our lady friends 
the encouragement in their patriotic work they so richly deserve. 

The Posts have been inspected by Department otlicers the same 
as last year, and a marked improvement has been observed. The 
revival of business has made it impossible for sonie of the ofhcers 
to inspect but very few Posts, and much of the work has fallen 
upon the Assistant Adjutant-General. This has given him double 
duty, as the work at Headquarters has accumulated in his absence, 
and often the late hours of night have found him at his desk. He 
has never complained, and has performed every duty cheerfully 
and well ; but I trust if this work is to be performed in future by 
the Department otlicers, some relief will be found for the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General, either in the field or at Headquarters. 
For a detailed report of the inspections, I refer you to the report 
of the Department Inspector. 

December last, accompanied by Senior Vice-Commander 
Hawes, Assistant Adjutant-General Meech, Comrade Bruce 
of the Council, past Department Commander Merrill, and 
members of nw Staff, I visited the western portion of the State. 
I believe in this section is a large field for missionary work. 
Northampton, Greenfield, and other large towns have no Posts of 
our Order ; while in cities and towns where Posts are located, 
there is not the membership that there should be. I trust in the 
future we shall see a revival, and that the western counties will 
rival the eastern in numbers and influence. Already the good 
work has begun, and the reports from Posts visited show a gain. 

"We have many Posts in this Department located in small 
towns where recruits are hard to obtain ; the distance many 
of the members are obliged to travel to Post meeting causes their 
meetings to be thinly attended. "We do not expect Posts so 
located will do as well as the larger Posts, yet I feel that it is 
desirable that they should retain their charters ; and while cities 
and large towns represent the main army, we can feel that all 
through our State these picket Posts are scattered, and that camp- 
tires of loyalty are burning on their altars. 

Since 1874 there have been no Proceedings of the Annual 
Encampment or reports of Department otlicers published, because 
the financial condition of the Department has been such as not to 
admit of it. And yet 1 feel that this is economy in the wrong 
direction and believe that Posts Avould subscribe for a sutiicient 
number of copies to pay for printing. 

The Department Inspector carefully prepares a lengthy report. 
It gives the standing of each Post, the amount expended for 
charity, the number in good standing, etc. "When it js brought 
before the Convention its length causes a laugh. A motion is made 
that " the reading of the report be dispensed with," the motion 

2* 



370 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.K. 

is carried, and the work of the Inspector is lost to the Department. 
So with the Adjutant-General and other Department officers. 

I also believe that the history of the Department should be 
written each year, and that the Chaplain should be the historian. 
Each Post should report to him in what manner Decoration Day 
was observed, the amount appropriated by cities and towns, 
copies of addresses made, number of graves decorated — in fact 
all matters connected with the day and of interest to the Depart- 
ment. This information could be easily obtained, as local papers 
usually publish the proceedings in full, and the Chaplain could 
arrange them in proper form. 

While such reports might not be of interest to us who par- 
ticipate in these scenes, the history of the Grand Army of the 
Republic will be of great interest to those who come after us, and 
will some day be written. And let us prepare the material while 
we have the opportunity. 

In regard to the Soldiers' Home I have little to report, as 
that matter is in the hands of a Board of Trustees, of which Past 
Department Commander Sargent is President, Comrade Meech, 
Secretary, Hon. William Gaston, Treasurer. Several meetings 
have been held and sites visited. As business improves we hope 
to see the interest revived and the final result be all that could be 
desired. 

This year closes the eighth year of my connection with Head- 
quarters as a Department officer. Beginning the first year of the 
organization as a member of the Council of Administration, I have 
served in various positions up to the present time. I shall return 
to the ranks with a more earnest interest in the welfare of our 
Order than ever before. I shall not retire from active service, but 
be in reserve ; and whenever I find the main line pressed shall be 
ready to take the field. The friendships formed in the Grand 
Army are second only to the ties of kindred. The kindness and 
fraternal feeling that have been extended to me at all times will 
be gratefully remembered, and the love I bear this organization 
will be continued while life shall last. 

In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the members 
of my Staff and the Council of Administration, Avho have done so 
much to make my administration a success. In following in the 
footsteps of that gallant soldier and eloquent comrade, Horace 
Binney Sargent, I had many misgivings as to the result ; and to 
past Department commanders and to the rank and file, the 
" boys" of the Grand Army, who have stood by me from first to 
last, I extend my thanks, and bespeak for my successor in office 
the same cordial support you have given me. Let us march on 
side by side and shoulder to shoulder to advance the interests of 
our noble organization, never deserting our colors, but remaining 
true to the end. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 371 

REPORT OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Commander and Comrades of the Department: 

In accordauce with the requirements of Rules and Regula- 
tions, I have the honor to submit herewith my fourth report of 
doings at headquarters : — 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1878 131 

Number of comrades reported in good standing, Dec. 

31, 1878 7,609 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1879 133 

Number of comrades in good standing for fourth quar- 
ter, 1879, as far as reported 8,131 

In April last the charter of Post 132 of Peabody was sur- 
rendered, and a new Post, numbered 50, was organized with 166 
charter members : 142 of this number were mustered in at the 
initial meeting. This is believed to be the largest number that 
has ever been mustered into any Post of our organization ; cer- 
tainly such is the fact in this Department. 

In April, also, a charter was granted for a new Post in the 
town of Milton. The Post was numbered 102, and was organized 
with 19 members, and has increased in strength and usefulness. 

In October an application was granted for the reorganization 
of Post 103 at Chicopee; and on the 27th of that month the re- 
construction of Otis Chapman Post 103 was completed under the 
most favorable auspices with 46 members. 

The following changes have taken place in the membership of 
the Department during the year just closed : — 

Number of comrades gained by muster-in . . . 943 
" " " transfer ... 78 

" " '' reinstatement . . 1,356 

Total 2,377 

Number of comrades lost by death 95 

" " " honorable discharge ... 66 

" " " transfer ...... 121 

" " " suspension 1,387 

" " " dishonorable discharge . . 1 



Total losses 1,670 

Excess of gains over losses 707 

Number of rejections during the year 21 

Number of comrades entitled to seats in this Encampment, 
327. This is based on 128 Posts, that number having made com- 
plete returns for fourth quarter 1879. 



372 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

There are a number of Posts in arrears for reports, namely : 
Two for 4th quarter, 1878; three for 1st quarter, 1879; three 
for 2d quarter, 1879 ; four for 3d quarter, 1879 ; five for 4th 
quarter, 1879. 

Generally the reports of Posts have been promptly and cor- 
rectly made during the year. 

I have not thought it necessary to refer at length to matters 
pertaining to the general working and welfare of the organization, 
from the fact that they either have been touched upon by the Com- 
mander or will be submitted to you by the other officers of the 
Department. I desire, however, to again express my previous 
and often repeated opinion that the present construction of 
Rules and Regulations relating to the suspension and dropping of 
members is detrimental to the best interests of the organization, 
and some modifications should be secured at the next National 
Encampment. 

Before closing this report I shall beg j^our indulgence for a 
moment and call your attention to a matter that is not entirely un- 
official — and neither is it, in my opinion, out of place ; but rather 
the result of observation and statistics as to affairs at Head- 
quarters. At the beginning of February, one year ago, I com- 
menced, and keep, a daily record of visitors ; and for about nine 
months of the year just closing it was continued. I find there 
has been a total of over 2,600 during the year. I have about 
2,000 names of comrades as the result of this record, the balance 
of the 2,600 being only the brief record of number instead of 
names. 

I find that there has been a total of 1,060 letters, besides 
over 300 postal cards, received ; this is exclusive of reports. 
Over 900 letters have been written and copied during the year. 
I also find, by consulting my cash account, that $104.00 has been 
expended in postage stamps, and there have been between 1,300 
and 1,400 postal cards used in conducting the business of the 
Department. 

With this brief digression from the regular routine, I will 
close my report by expressing my renewed confidence in the 
organization, and my faith in its future, which I feel is assured. 

With warmest expressions of gratitude to all comrades for 
umiform kindness and courtesy, I remain. 

Fraternally yours, 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



373 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, Jan. 29, 1880. 
James F. Meech, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

Comrade: I have the houor to submit the following report 
of the Assistant Quartermaster-General's Department for the year 
ending Dec. 31, 1879 : — 

RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand as per report of 1878 

Dues received for fourth quarter, 1878 

" first " 1879 

" " '< second " 1879 

" third " 1879 

Received for Books and Blanks . . . 

" " Badges 

" " Sundries 

Total 



$ 10 59 
610 76 
618 16 
637 36 
632 30 
219 69 
430 50 
39 45 



EXPENDITURES. 

Salarj' of Assistant Adjutant-General and $100.00 
added for labor in Assistant Quartermaster- 
General's Department performed by Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General $1 

Dues to National Headquarters, fourth quarter 
1878, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th quarters 1879 .... 

Postage and office expenses 

Kent and care of Headquarters office 1st, 2d, 3d 
and 4th quarters, 1879 

Rent of Amory Hall for use of Convention, 1878, 

Books, supplies, printing, etc. (Boston) . . . 

By vote of Council to Comrade S. Daltou for 
Inspection 

Badge Ribbons 

Boston Directory 

Copygraph 

Supplies from National Headquarters .... 

Inspector's expenses for 1878 

Inspector's expenses for 1879 

Total expenditure 

Included in vouchers No. 331 to 352, 354, 355, 357 to 396. 



,300 00 



470 


77 


170 


45 


350 


00 


30 


00 


287 


02 


50 


00 


14 


25 


5 


00 


5 


00 


129 


60 


117 


92 


114 


44 



5,198 83 



5,044 45 



Due from Posts for dues . 
Due from Posts for sundries 
Books and Blanks on hand 

Office Furniture 

Colors 

Cash on hand 



LIABILITIES. 

National Headquarters, for dues 4th quarter, 1879, 
National Headquarters, for badges and supplies, 



$652 


00 


77 


35 


170 


00 


175 


00 


30 


00 


154 


38 



Excess of assets over liabilities 



$122 27 
708 00 



$1,258 73 



$830 27 
$438 46 



E. T. R.VYMOND, 

Assistant Quartermaster-General 



374 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OP MASS., G.A.R. 

REPORT OF DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass. G.A.R. , 
Boston, Jan. 27, 1880. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant- General : 

In compliance with the Rules and Regulations of our Order, 
I have the honor to report the result of the inspection of the 
several Posts comprising this Department, and to forward to you 
a consolidated statement of their condition, with a duplicate copy 
to be forwarded to the Inspector-General of the National En- 
campment. 

The work of inspection has been performed by the Depart- 
ment otHeers, — a system inaugurated by my immediate predeces- 
sor, and one which commends itself as not only the most thorough 
and economical, but by far the most beneficial to the Department 
of any heretofore presented. I would respectfully recommend its 
continuance. 

In obedience to Special Order No. 3, from Department Head- 
quarters, dated March 28, 1879, on the evening of April 3, 
assisted by the Assistant Adjutant-General and the Chief Mus- 
tering Officer, I organized Post No. 102 at Milton. Of the 
twenty- four names borne upon the application for charter, eighteen 
of the parties presented themselves and were constituted members 
of the Post. 

By Special Order No. 5, from Department Headquarters, 
dated April 24, 1879, on the 2Sth of the same month I organized 
Union Post No. 50, at Peabody, numbering one hundred and 
forty-two members: of this number 109 had been members of 
Post 132, and thirty-three were recruits. 

Oct. 27, 1879, the Assistant Adjutant-General reorganized 
Otis Chapman Post No. 103 at Chicopee, with thirty-nine charter 
members. 

There are at the present time 133 Posts in the Department, 
126 of which have been inspected; the remaining seven Posts 
would have been but for the failure to an-ange for the meetings, 
as most of the number are in poor condition and very irregular 
with their meetings. 

Of the one hundred and twenty-six Posts : — 
15 are reported in excellent condition. 
54 " " good " 

32 " " fair " 

11 " as improving, and 

13 " in poor condition. 

The aggregate membership of these Posts at the time of 
inspection was 8,128; and that a distinct idea maybe had of 
their relative strength, I have classified them as follows : — 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 375 

There is but one Post in the Department numbering over 400 
members ; one over 300 ; one over 250 ; one over 200 ; six from 
150 to 175; fourteen from 20 to 25; nine from. 100 to 150; 
twelve from 75 to 100; twenty-seven from 50 to 75; forty-five 
from 25 to 50 ; nine less than 20, 

From this it will be seen that 68, or one-half of the number 
of the Posts in the Department, have a membership of less than 
fifty. I would therefore suggest that special attention be given to 
these smaller Posts by the Department officers, as well as those in 
poor (Condition ; and that they be visited and encouraged to con- 
tinue in the good work of our Order by a steady and wholesome 
increase in membership. 

There are ninety-eight Posts in the Department having a 
Relief Fund aggregating $57,864.38, an increase over last year 
of Sl7,008.97. They have disbursed for charity during the year 
ending Sept. 30, 1879, $17,829.55. 

Twenty-one Posts have adopted the system of paying weekly 
benefits in cases of sickness or disability. 

?5 per week. 
$4.00 per week. 

3.00 " " 

2.50 " " 

2.00 " " 

by committee. 

50 for funeral expenses. 

These benefits are paid for a period varying from six to six- 
teen weeks. The Department Inspectors have for the past two 
years recommended to the Posts the adoption of this method of 
relief ; and from the favorable reports received from those Posts 
that have given it the longest trial, they would still urge its adop- 
tion ; not only as the most equitable method of disbursing relief, 
but as an incentive to those who are not members of our organiza- 
tion to become such. 

By our Rules and Regulations the quartermaster should have 
charge of all funds, securities, vouchers, and other property of 
the Post, and should give security for the faithful discharge of 
his duties. In quite a number of the Posts the Quartermaster 
does not hold the funds, and in very many no bonds are given or 
required. I would respectfully call attention to this fact, and 
urge that the Posts comply with the Regulations. Again, the 
inspectors have found, upon examining the books of the quarter- 
masters, that in many of the Posts an auditing committee is un- 
known ; and the accounts of the quartermaster have been allowed 
to go one, two, and three years without being examined or reported 
upon as to their correctness. This condition should under no 
circumstances be allowed to exist. The Post should through its 



One 


Post paying 


Two 




Seven 




One 




Four 




Four 




One 





376 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

auditing committee satisfy itself of the conditions of its finances ; 
and tlie quartermaster should for his own protection demand that 
the books be carefully examined and properly indorsed. 

In most instances the work of the Ritual is well performed. 
Improvements can, however, be made by the officers of Posts if 
they will but memorize the work and discard the book. It has 
been found that the duties of the officers of the day vary more in 
different Posts than those of any other officer. This will in part 
be obviated by the " Instructions for Muster-in," recently re- 
ceived from National Headquarters ; but that the work of the 
Ritual may in every respect be uniform throughout the Depart- 
ment, I would recomiuend that it be exemplified yearly under the 
direction of the Department officers, either at the Department 
Convention or at convenient sections of the State, accessible to 
the largest number of Posts. 

The general condition of the Department I believe to be 
much better than in years past. Posts are more guarded in the 
disbursements from their relief funds, better situated as regards 
accommodations for meetings, and more fraternal in their inter- 
course with each other. 

Two Posts in the Department own the buildings they occupy, 
and 94 posts are furnished with the accepted uniform of the 
Department — of hat, cord, and belt. 

The entire expense to the Department for the yearly inspec- 
tion is $121.04, a saving of $27.33 over last year. 

In conclusion I desire to express my appreciation of the valu- 
able services rendered by the Department officers in the work of 
inspection, and to thank them for the zeal and fidelity with which 
they have assisted me in the performance of my duties. To the 
Assistant Adjutant-General I am particularly grateful for his un- 
tiring energy in inspecting more than .50 Posts of the Department. 

Trusting that our association with each other as comrades may 
strengthen the ties of Friendship, prompt us to a more ennobling 
Charity, and cement us more firmly in the bonds of Loyalty, 
I remain, fraternally, your obedient servant, 

GEO. W. CREASEY, 
Department Inspector. 



REPORT OF JUDGE ADVOCATE. 

Office of the Judge Advocate, 
Boston, Jan. 28, 1880. 
James F. Meecii, Esq., 

Assistant Adjutant- General, Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
Comrade : I have the honor to submit to the Commander and 
to the Department Encampment the following report of the opera- 
tions in my department for the past year : — 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 377 

I have been called to render during the year seven decisions 
upon matters of interest only to persons concerned therein, and 
not of general interest to the Order ; and the decisions have met 
with the approval of the Department Commander and have been 
acquiesced in by the persons interested, so far as I have been 
informed. 

No proceedings of courts-martial have been referred to me 
during the year, which would justify the inference that the com- 
rades of the Grand Army in this Department have not committed 
any flagrant offences during the year, or at least have not been 
detected therein. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

GILES H. RICH, 

Judge Advocate. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, Jan. 28, 1880. 

Commander and Comrades : In obedience to Section 9, Arti- 
cle VI., Chapter III., Rules and Regulations, the Council of 
Administration submit the following report of its doings during 
the past 3'ear. The Council has held only four regular meetings, 
no event of special importance requiring a larger number; and in 
view of the fact that the members of the Council have been re- 
quired to do inspection duty, the Commander has called them 
together only when the necessity became imperative. 

We have fully examined the accounts of the Assistant Quar- 
termaster-General, and find them correct. The total receipts for 
the current year have been S3, 198.32. The total expense for the 
same time, as per voucher Nos. 331 to 335 and 357 to 396 inclu- 
sive, has been $3,044 45, There is also on hand a contingent of 
S39.65, which was forwarded by Posts in 1878 in response to a 
request from assistant inspectors. This fund was intended to 
be placed at the disposal of the Assistant Adjutant-General as a 
sum to be drawn upon to pay for books, blanks, etc., purchased 
from National Headquarters, and the amount taken to be replaced 
as soon as the regular dues were received from Posts. Nothing 
has been added to the fund during the past year. From the fact 
that several members of the Council served in that capacity last 
year, and had an opportunity to observe the effects upon Posts of 
the new method of inspection as performed by the Department, 
the Council can safely recommend the continuance of this salutary 
system, believing that the standing of the Department can be 
kept higher and more interest taken by Posts to have a uniform 
and correct method of inspection, in which not only should the 
unwritten work be properly exemplified, but care taken to observe 



378 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

the general condition of the affairs of the Posts, with a view to rem- 
edy existing evils and aid the officers and comrades in the upbuilding 
of the Order. The valuable services of Assistant Adjutant-General 
Meech in prosecuting this system of inspection for the past two 
years cannot be overstated. During the past year he has made 
more than fifty official visits to Posts. While this has greatly 
aided the officers in the work of inspection, it has been injurious 
to the necessary work at Headquarters, where he is needed almost 
every business day of the year. And the Council recommend, 
while commending all the labor he has performed, to the newly- 
elected officers that the Assistant Adjutant-General inspect no 
Posts that require him to be absent from the duties of his office 
in the daytime. 

And the Council would especially recommend to the com- 
mittee who are to select the names of candidates for members of 
this Council, that they present only names of those who will guaran- 
tee to perform their proportional part of the duty of inspection. 
They also recommend that the time for inspection be not confined to 
the last two months of the year, but that more time be allowed, in 
order that some Posts may be visited twice if need be ; and if, 
upon due notification, no meeting can be held, another night can 
be selected by the inspector without calling a special meeting. 

The Council would call the attention of the comrades to the 
new military aid law, which is the direct outgrowth of that appeal 
of the Grand Army to the people of Massachusetts for a soldiers' 
home. The new law provides for all soldiers who are worthy and 
needy that relief so essential to their necessities, and does not 
disfranchise them in receiving it, and is a check to bummers, who 
under the former law plundered the State of many thousand 
dollars. We recommend to Posts to co-operate with the authorities 
of cities and towns in aiding them to distribute the grand charit}', 
that it shall benefit not only their relief funds by saving them 
from heavy drains, but shall cause such just and equitable dis- 
tribution as shall keep the amount within the limits of prudence ; 
so that legislators, in a fit of spasmodic economy, will not tamper 
with and vitiate the good intent of the law. The good results of 
this law have undoubtedly been a means of checking an enthu- 
siastic movement in favor of the soldiers' home ; but the project 
has not been lost sight of ; and while the Board of Trustees of the 
Soldiers' Home have, so far as we know, no report to offer, it 
may be proper for the Council, which has among its members 
several of the trustees, to say that several locations have been 
visited, and the price and situations noted, with a view to establish- 
ing a small home as an experiment, the cost to be confined to the 
amount within our means ; but no place has as yet been found 
that combines the requisite qualifications for such purpose, and 
the matter for the present remains in abeyance. The funds are on 
deposit, with interest accruing upon them. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. .379 

The Council would urgently request Posts to take decisive 
action by committee and by personal Avork of oflicers and com- 
rades to strengthen our Order. Hundreds of good men are not 
among us : practical and systematic effort will bring them in. 
We recommend to all Posts, that when camp-fires, public or pri- 
vate, are held, that special effort be made to have ex-soldiers not 
members of the Order present, that they may become interested 
and afterward join the Post. With the present prosperity of our 
State and Nation, now an assured fact, there sliould be no good 
reason why many comrades may not be added to our ranks. We 
recommend all Posts in their collective, and all members in their 
individual, cnpacity to take an active interest in all the laws of our 
Commonwealth which will benefit our comrades in the years which 
are to come. Losing no vantage gained, let us so labor that 
such laws may be engrafted upon our statute books that, after 
the Grand Army and other kindred organizations die out, the 
veteran soldier shall not come to want nor his children beg for 
bread in the State of their birth or adoption. 

In closing this report, we desire to express our thanks to the 
Assistant Adjutant-General for the unvarying kindness and assist- 
ance we have alwaj's received from him. Also to testify to the 
pleasant relations that have always characterized our intercourse 
WMth the retiring Commander; and we desire to impress upon the 
minds of this Convention, that to his active, untiring exertions 
and personal interest in the welfare of our Order, is due much of 
the present prosperity that marks the record of another year; and 
we, as members of the Council, extend to him our best wishes for 
his future prosperity and success, both in and outside of the 
Grand Army. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

GEO. H. PATCH, 
J. FRANK DALTON, 
GEO. H. HOWARD, 
AZEL AMES, Jr., 
JOHN F. BRUCE, 
Council of Administration, Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 



SURGEON'S REPORT. 

Stoneham, Jan. 28, 1880. 

Very few names of wounded men have been reported to the 
Medical Director during the past year. The probability is that 
most of such names have been already reported. We hope thai 
surgeons of Posts will make a strenuous endeavor to ascertain 
the names of all wounded <-omrades not already put on record. 

The Medical Director would respectfully call the attention 
of delegates to the importance of taking some action at this 



380 EARLY HISTORY DEPP. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

convention in relation to the proposed Soldiers' Home in Massa- 
chusetts. Unless speedily established, there is imminent risk of 
losing the legacy of S3, 000 so kindly bequeathed for that purpose. 
Let us discuss this vital question at all our meetings and move 
forward simultaneously. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. SYMINGTON BROWN, M.D., 

Medical Director, Dept. of Mass. 



CHAPLAIN'S REPORT. 

Commander and Comrades : 

I deem it a mattel" of gratitude to Almighty God, that you, 
sir, and all your associates, have been spared to us during the 
year now passed. That although death hath entered the ranks of 
many Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic within the bounds 
of this Commonwealth, and brought desolation to many hearts 
and homes, around yours and those associated with you he hath 
passed, leaving no widows or orphans to be sustained by the 
hand of charity. In presenting to you. Commander and Com- 
rades, very briefly, my first annual report, I beg of you each to 
accept my heartfelt thanks for the very cordial manner in which 
I have been received by each of you, but especially by those 
Posts it hath been my pleasure to visit during the past year. 

For he, bearing the garb of the Christian religion, has gone in 
and out among you, at fairs, festivals, and camp-fires, and yet has 
heard no unchristian remark or seen a single disgraceful action 
from a single member of this noble band of loyal and true men, 
but what might have been heard under the eaves of the building 
used for Christian worship on the Sabbath day. I have seen you 
striving only to outdo each other in the manly and noble work of 
providing funds to comfort your distressed and sorrowing com- 
rades, whom by God's grace you have been able to succor ; as 
well as the widow, whose tears you have dried, the orphan whose 
hunger you have satisfied, and the naked whom you have clothed. 
This, Mr. Commander and Comrades, is a work of which angels 
might be proud. And who among us can wonder at this, when 
the very foundation of our noble structure rests upon that solid 
basis, Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. 

Go on, then, my brothers, in this glorious work: as in the 
past, so in the future. Nor may it only be the memory of deeds 
that gold or silver hath done, but also those born of a brighter, 
holier gold — the heart's pure charity. The words of sympathy 
and hope spoken to the crushed and bleeding heart, the hand of 
love and comradeship stretched out to bring relief and encourage- 
ment to our deserving comrade, who, struggling unaided and alone, 
is striving hand in hand with life in its terrible conflicts. 



FOUHTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 381 

And who but 3'ou, my comrades, can do this glorious work? 
Who but you, who have shared witli them the heat and l)urdeii of 
the day, hi the battlefieUls of the South, in the terrible rebellion 
through which we passed to save our country's honor and our 
country's ting? 

Massachusetts, our grand old Commonwealth : all honor to 
her rulers ! especially those who sit in the chair of state in the 
past year and in the present. These have done much during the 
year to assist us at our gatherings, to provide means to carry out 
our noble charities. But yours, my brothers, must be the hand to 
dispense it. For from no other hand can it be done with such 
sympathy and love. 

And as you. Commander, and j^ou, Comrades of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, shall pass away one after another to 3'our 
reward above ; and as you shall knock at the door of the great 
Temple above for admission, giving the password, the door shall 
open wide to receive you, and the voice of our loving Father 
shall be heard, in words that cannot be misunderstood, "As 
nmch as ye have done it unto one of these, the least of my 
little ones, ye have done it unto me: enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord." 

But, Commander and Comrades, I had almost forgotten, 
sir, that 3'ou had requested me to speak of the spiritual condition 
of the Grand Army of this Department. Let me say, sir, in 
closing, that its spiritual condition, so far as I know, is good ; 
and many honorable and true men have made a great advance- 
ment during the year in the divine life. And, Comnumder, at 
the beginning of the year m}^ hopes ran high that 3'OU, too, sir, 
would succumb to its sacred influences before 3'our terju of otiice 
had expired. But, Comrades, some two weeks since, I was 
startled as if a thunderbolt had fallen from a clear sky. I read 
in jny morning paper this announcement: " Commander John G. 
B. Adams, in speaking at a great dinner at one of our large hotels 
in Boston, in the presence of a large number of the most influen- 
tial men of the State, made this statement : That his first 
religious impression, and the religion he now possessed, had been 
obtained from his Chaplain : not the Chaplain of the Department, 
but the honorable and Rev. E. D. Winslow, now traveling as a 
fugitive in a foreign land." Comrades, judge of my surprise when 
I found that all my exertions in this direction had proved a 
failure. 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L. 

JOHN W. LEE, 
Department Chaplain, G.A.R. 



382 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

On motion it was voted, That the various reports of the 
Department officers be received and placed on fite ; and on further 
motion it was also voted, That the reading of the records be 
dispensed with. 

On motion of Comrade Charles A. Stott of Post 42, of Lowell, 
it was voted, That the recommendation of the Commander regard- 
ing the petitioning of the Legislature to make Memorial Day a 
legal " Memorial Day " be referred to a committee of five, to con- 
sider and report at the session tomorrow. The following com- 
mittee was appointed. Comrade Stott declining to serve : — 

J. P. Maxfield, Post 42 W. H. Hart, Post 35 

Henry W. Briggs, " 1 C. W. Hastings, " 58 

Thomas J. Tute, Post 7 

On motion of Comrade J. D. Billings of Post 94, of Canton, 
it was voted. That a committee of ten be appointed by the Com- 
mander, to consider the question of an encampment of the De- 
partment during the coming year. Comrade Billings asked to be 
excused from serving on the committee, as he could not remain at 
the meeting. 

The following committee was appointed : — 

George W. Powers, Post 15 William W. Foster, Post 84 

George L. Goodale " 06 Henry W. Johnson, " 134 

Josiah Pickett, " 10 C. S. Anthony, " 3 

Clark B. Baldwin, " 4 J. E. Barrows, " 56 

P:. p. Gibbs, " 123 Thomas H. Hill, " 33 

After some discussion it was voted. That when we adjourn 
tonight it be to meet at 9 o'clock a.m. Thursday, 29th inst., at 
this place. 

On motion of Comrade Richard F. Tobin of Post 30, of 
Cambridgeport, the Department Commander was instructed to 
appoint a committee of five, to report a list of five comrades to 
serve as Council of Administration. The Commander appointed 

Richard F. Tobin, Post 30 E. P. Simpson, Post 142 

John Collins, " 6 Rufus Livermore, " 14 

E. S. Horton, Post 145 

On motion of Commander Churchill of Post 10, of Worcester, 
it was voted, That a committee of nine be appointed b}'^ the Com- 
mander, to report a list of names for delegates and alternates to 
the next National meeting, to be held at Dayton, Ohio. 



Post 10 


J. H. Gleasou, 


Post 


77 


" 151 


AV. A. Linehau, 


(( 


52 


" 26 


A. B. Hodges, 


(( 


3 


" 146 


Greenwood, 


(( 


61 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 383 

The following committee was appointed : — 

J. K. Churchill, 
Orin Warren, 
Hiram A. AVright, 
H. N. Smith, 

A. C. Belcher, Post 32. 

Comrade W. D. Cole of Post 18, Ashland, addressed the En- 
campment on the question of State aid, and on his motion it was 
voted that the subject be referred to a committee of five to be 
appointed by the Commander ; the committee to report tomorrow. 
The Commander appointed the following committee : — 

W. D. Cole, Post 18 Thomas H. Hill, Post 33 

George H. Teague, " 12 George H. Patch, " 142 

George L. Goodale, Post 66 

The following dispatch was received and read : — 

New Haven, Conn., Jan. 28, 1880. 
To Commander G.A.E., Department of Massachusetts : 

The delegates to the Annual Encampment Department of Con- 
necticut, G.A.Il., send kindly greeting to the delegates to the Encamp- 
ment of your Department, in the true spirit of Fraternity, Charity, and 
Loyalty. 

(Signed) F. A. CHASE, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

A dispatch was also received as follows : — 

East Boston, Mass., Jan. 28, 1880. 
J. G. B. Adams, 

Commander Department of Massachusetts, G.A.Ii. 
From Woman's Relief Corps to Department of Mass., G.A.R., 
Greeti)t(/ : 
Officers elected today : Tresident, Sarah E. Fuller ; Senior Vice 
President, E.Florence Barker; Junior Vice-President, Sophia F. Parker; 
Secretary, Kathrina L. Beedle; Treasurer, M. Amanda Thayer; Chap- 
lain, T. M. Boynton ; Conductor, Ellen M. Barrows ; Guard, Ellen Scates. 
Per order Convention, 

KATHRINA L. BEEDLE. 

On motion of Comrade E. W. Thompson of Post 42, Lowell, 
it was voted. That the Assistant Adjutant-General extend the 
greeting of this Department to the Departments of Connecticut, 
New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, in convention in their 
respective States ; and after a brief discussion it Avas voted to lay 
the communication from the Woman's Relief Corps on the table. 



384 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

As there did not appear to be any further business to transact, 
the Commander gave notice of the exemplification of the work 
and a collation in the upper halls, to be followed by a camp-fire 
in this hall. 

The Encampment adjourned. 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjuta nt- General. 



Odd Fellows Hall, Lynn, Jan. 29, 1880. 
As per adjournment, the Department Encampment was called 
to order at nine o'clock a.m. by Department Commander John G. 
B. Adams. The roll-call by the Assistant Adjutant-General showed 
267 Department officers, past Department Commanders, and 
delegates present. After Divine blessing had been invoked by 
Department Chaplain John W. Lee, a dispatch was read from the 
Department of Illinois, as follows : — 

CmcAGO, III., Jan. 28, 1880. 
James E. Mkech, 

Assiatant Adjutant-General^ Dept. of 3Iass., G.A.B. 
The Department of Illinois, G.A.R. , in Fourteenth Encampment 
assembled, send greeting to the Department of Massachusetts, in 
Fraternity, Charit.v, and Loyalty. 

(Signed) CHARLES R. E. KOCH, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

The Department Commander announced the Encampment 
open for business, whereupon Comrade J. P. Maxfield of Post 42 
reported for the Committee on Memorial Day as follows : — 

The Committee to whom was referred so much of the Com- 
mander's Address as reconnnends that the necessary legislation 
be secured as will make May 30 a legal Memorial Day in this 
Commonwealth, respectfully report that they have considered the 
subject as carefully as the time will permit ; aud while the Committee 
recognize the importance of the question, and the able arguments 
that might be made on both sides of the question, the Committee 
recommend that the incoming Department Commander l)e requested 
to memorialize the General Court to set apart Memorial Day as a 
legal holiday. 

The report of the Committee was accepted. 

At this point, Commander William L. Baird of Post 5, Lynn, 
asked the indulgence of the Encampment for a moment, and an- 
nounced that he was authorized l)y Post 5 to tender to the delegates 
a complimentary banquet, to be served in Exchange Hall at 2 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 385 

o'clock P.M. ; and at Commauder Baird's suggestion it was voted, 
That if the business of the Encampment should not be concluded 
at 1.50 P.M., an adjournment should be had at that hour for 
dinner. 

The committee appointed to nominate a list of names for 
Delegates and Alternates to National Encampment reported 
through Commander J. K. Churchill of Post 10, Worcester; and 
on his motion it was voted, That the report of the committee be 
laid on the table until after the election of Department officers. 

The committee appointed at the evening session to consider 
the question of an encampment of the Department the current 
year, reported, by Comrade George W. Powers of Post 15, Boston, 
as follows : — 

The committee chosen to investigate part of Commander's 
Report relating to matter of State Encampment, having given the 
subject their consideration, respectfully report. That in the absence 
of definite information as to the probable cost to Posts and indi- 
viduals, they consider a State Encampment this year inexpedient, 
and suggest that the Council of Administration should endeavor 
to obtain proper information during the coming year for the use 
of the next annual Convention ; and if county encampments, which 
the committee suggest, should be held during the year, a fuller 
experience may be derived by which to guide future action. 

SIGNED BY THE COMMITTEE. 

The committee appointed to report a list of names for Council 
of Administration submitted their report, and recommended that it 
be laid on the table until after the election of Department officers, 
which was agreed to. 

Comrade E. W. Thompson of Post 42, Lowell, moved, That 
we proceed to the election of Department officers for the ensuing 
year, and that two committees of three each be appointed by the 
Department Commander to receive, assort, and count votes for the 
various officers, the first committee to act for Department Com- 
mander, the second committee for Senior Vice Department Com- 
mander, and so alternately until the officers shall be elected. 

The motion prevailed, and the Commander appointed on first 
committee : E. W. Thompson of Post 42, J. D. Cogswell of Post 
131, L. M. Alden of Post 8. 

Second committtee : Samuel M. Weale of Post 23, Sidney 
Sibley of Post 19, F. M. Harrington of Post 96. 
25 



386 • EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Nominations being next in order, Comrade Cogswell of Post 
34 presented the name of Comrade George S. Evans of Post 30 
as a candidate for Department Commander. Comrade Freeman 
C. Luce of Post 1 presented the name of Senior Vice Department 
Commander John A. Hawes of Post 1, which was seconded by 
Comrade Charles A. Stott of Post 42. Comrade Foster Wilson 
of Post 71, Holyoke, presented the name of Comrade Samuel B. 
Spooner, the present Junior Vice Department Commander of the 
Department. No other nominations were made, and a ballot was 
had which the committee reported as follows : — 

For Department Commander : — 

Whole number of votes 231 

Necessary for a choice 116 

Samuel B. Spooner of Post 16 4 

George S. Evans "30 69 

John A. Hawes " 1 158 

On motion of Comrade Cogswell of Post 34, the vote was 
made unanimous; and John A. Hawes of Post 1, New Bedford, 
was declared elected Department Commander for the ensuing 
year. Comrade Hawes accepted the position. 

The next business was the election of Senior Vice Depart- 
ment Commander. 

Comrade J. P. Maxfield of Post 42 nominated Comrade 
Thomas H. Hill of Post 33, which was seconded by Comrade 
William H. Hart of Post 35. The balloting proceeded, and the 
committee reported for Senior Vice Department Commander : — 

Whole number of votes 214 

Necessary for a choice 108 

J. A. Hawes, Post 1 1 

H. Hill, "35 1 

George S. Evans, " 30 1 

B. S. Lovell, "58 2 

C. P. Davis, " 4 

Thomas H. Hill, " 33 205 

And Comrade Hill was declared elected, and he accepted the 
position of Senior Vice Department Commander. 

Comrade Azel Ames, Jr., of Post 12, placed in nomination 
Comrade Benj. S. Lovell of Post 58 for the position of Junior 
Vice Department Commander. Comrade G. H. Rich of Post 26 
seconded the above nomination. The ballot was declared as fol- 
lows for Junior Vice Department Commander : — 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. . 387 

Whole number of votes 203 

Necessar}' for a choice 102 

Comrade J. Frank Dalton 6 

" Benj. S. Lovell 197 

And Comi'ade Lovell was declared elected Junior Vice Depart- 
ment Commander, which position he accepted. 

On motion of Comrade J. F. Berry of Post 75, the Assistant 
Adjutant-General was instructed to cast one ballot for W. Sym- 
ington Brown of Post 75, for Medical Director. 

The ballot was cast as directed, and Comrade Brown was 
declared elected Medical Director. 

Unanimous C( nssnt was given, and on motion of Comrade 
Henry W. Johnson of Post 134, the Assistant Adjutant-General 
was instructed to cast the vote of the Encampment for Comrade 
John W. Lee of Post 11, for Chaplain. The vote was cast, and 
Comrade Lee was declared elected Chaplain, which position he 
accepted. 

The report of the Committee to nominate a Council of 
Administration was, on motion of the chairman of the committee, 
Comrade R. F. Tobin of Post 30, taken from the table; and after 
being read a brief discussion was participated in by several com- 
rades, at the termination of which a ballot was ordered. During 
the progress of the count by the committee, Comrade Thos. J. 
Ames of Post 53 moved. That the unanimous thanks of the 
Encampment be extended by the Assistant Adjutant-General to 
the Odd Fellows of Lynn, for their generous offer of the use of 
their halls, in which this Encampment has been held. The fore- 
going motion was unanimously passed. 

The Committee on Ballot for Council of Administration re- 
ported as follows : — 

Whole number of votes cast 115 

Necessary for a choice 58 

Azel Ames, Jr., Post 12 105 

John F. Bruce, " 19 103 

John Scales, " 7 107 

Chas. A. Stott, " 42 108 

Beuj. A. Bridges, " 6 105 

The balance of the votes were widely scattering, and the five 
named comrades were declared elected as Council of Administra- 
tion for the ensuing year, they being the names reported by the 
Committee. 



388 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The report of Committee to nominate a list of Delegates 
and Alternates to National Encampment was taken from the 
table ; and after some discussion the report of the Committee 
was amended slightly and the following comrades were elected by 
a ballot cast for each name by the Assistant Adjutant-General : — 

DELEGATE-AT-LARGE. ALTERXATE-AT-LARGE. 

Henry B. Peirce. Post 73 Frank McGraw, Post 96 



DELEGATES. 






ALTERNATES. 






Josiah Pickett, 


Post 


10 


Thos. E. Cutter, 


Post 


49 


W. C. Lovering, 
A. C. Monroe, 




3 
13 


W. W. Doherty, 
H. W. Johnson, 




125 
134 


Wm. M. Olin, 




26 


Foster Wilson, 




103 


E. M. Clapp, 
Orin AVarren, 




103 
151 


B. A. Hathaway, 

C. B. Baldwin, 




76 
4 


D. W. Lawrence, 




66 


Wm. T. Soule, 




1 


S. B. Spooner, 




16 


James Noouan, 




39 



Senior Vice-Commander-elect Comrade Thomas H. Hill of 
Post 33 extended an invitation to the Department to hold their 
next meeting with Post 33, Woburn. The matter was referred 
to the Council of Administration. 

The communication from the Woman's Relief Corps was 
taken from the table, whereupon Comrade George L. Goodale of 
Post 66 addressed the Encampment, endorsing the organization, 
and closed by introducing a resolution, recognizing the organiza- 
tion. A great deal of interest in the matter was manifested, 
remarks being made by Comrades Goudale of 66, Weale of 23, 
Barker of 40, Follett of 88, Merrill of 39, Underwood of 62, 
Blackmar of 113, and others. Finally, on motion of Comrade 
Weale of 23, the whole matter was indefinitely postponed by a 
vote of 115 to 40. 

The Committee on State Aid submitted their report as 
follows : — 

Your Committee on State Aid have attended to their duties, 
and beg leave to make the following report. We approach with 
great diffidence a question that has received the attention of the 
best legislative talent of the Commonwealth ; but believing that 
a more perfect system is desirable, we ask you to consider the 
following propositions : It seems to us that it is of the utmost 
importance that the Laws of 1879 be amended in two particulars, 
and that the laws as amended be made a part of the permanent 
legislation of the State. Therefore we recommend. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 389 

1. That the word shall be substituted for the word may in 
Section 1 of the present law. 

2. That aid under this law be extended to and include the 
family of the indigent soldier or sailor; and to this end we would 
recommend that this Department, by a committee or otherwise, 
bring this matter to the attention of the Committee on Military 
Affairs of the Legislature, and ask them to take such action as 
will bring about the above result. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

For the Committee, 

W. D. COLE, 

Chairman. 



After certain explanations had been made as to the present 
and prospective workings of the laws, on motion of Comrade 
George H. Patch of Post 142, it was voted, That this matter of 
State aid be referred to a special committee consisting of the 
Department Commander, the Senior Vice Department Com- 
mander, and Comrade W. D. Cole of Post 18, with full powers. 

Comrade Giles H. Rich, Judge Advocate, offered the follow- 
ing, which was adopted by a unanimous rising vote : — 

Resolved, That the hearty thanks of this Encampment be, and they 
are hereby, tendered to the officers and members of Post 5, G.A.R., of 
Lynn, for the unremittina: attention, liberal hospitality, and fraternal 
welcome they have extended to all comrades attending this meeting. 

Comrade Charles A. Stott of Post 42 moved. That the dele- 
gates to National Encampment be instructed to secure, if possible, 
the repeal of the following words in Section 4, Article IV., Chap- 
ter v.. Rules and Regulations, viz. : " And if elected he shall be 
reobligated." Comrade Patch of Post 142 seconded the motion, 
and it was passed. 

Comrade Patch of Post 142 submitted the following reso- 
lutions : ^- 

liesoJved, Tiiat it is the sense of this Convention that the incoming 
Council of Administration consider, subject to the consent of the Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General, si!ch measures as will obviate the necessity of 
calling the roll at future Encampments of this Department; and if any 
way is devised, to take the necessary steps to carry it into efl'ect at the 
next annual meeting. 

And this : — 

Resolved, That the delegates from this Department to the National 
Encampment be reciuested to secure, if possible, such a change in Rules 



390 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

and Regulations as will permit a Post to be represented in the Depart- 
ment by the Senior Vice-Coramander when the Commander is nnable to 
be present. 

The latter was referred to the delegates, and the former 
to the Council of Administration, with full powers in each case. 

Past Department Commander William Cogswell installed the 
following officers : — 

Department Commander, John A. Hawes. 

Senior Vice Department Commander, Thomas H. Hill. 
Junior Vice Department Commander, Benj. S. Lovell. 
Chaplain, John W. Lee. 

!Azel Ames, Jr., 
John F. Bruce, 
Charles A. Stott. 
There being no further business to transact, the Encampment 
adjourned at 1.45 p.m. 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 391 



GENERAL ORDERS. 

Series of 1879. 



i.A.R.,-) 

)M 3, [ 
i, 1879. j 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
53 Tkemont Street, Room 
Boston, March 28, 
General Orders \ 

No. 1. / 

Having been elected and installed as Commander of this Depart- 
ment for the ensuing year, I hereby assume the duties of the office : — 

Comrades : I would call your attention to the importance of recruit- 
ing our ranks. In every city and town in this Commonwealth there are 
many honorably discharged soldiers and sailors Avho have never joined 
our Order. These should be " mustered in" and united with us in our 
great work of charity. 

This must be the individual work of comrades ; and it is earnestly 
desired that all honorable means should be used to increase our member- 
ship and again place this Department in the front rank as the largest 
Department in the Union. 

II. The following comrades are hereby announced as the " Official 
Staff" of the Commander, and will be obeyed and respected accord- 
ingly : — 

James F. Meech of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Adjutant- 
General. 
Edward T. Raymond of Post 10, Worcester, Assistant Quarter- 
master-General. 
George W. Creasey of Post 49, Newburyport, Inspector. 
Giles H. Rich of Post 26, Roxbury, Judge Advocate. 
Charles W. Wilcox of Post 22, Milford, Chief Mustering Officer. 
III. All official correspondence must be signed by Post Commanders 
and addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General (at 53 Tremont Street, 
Room 3), whose office hours will be as heretofore. 

IV. A new National countersign is hercAvith transmitted to all 
Posts that did not receive it at the Department Encampment. After the 
countersign is read the "Key" will be at once returned to these Head- 
quarters. 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 

Department Commander. 



(79.) 



Headquarters Dept. ov Mass., G.A.R., 

53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 

Boston, March 28, 1879. 

General Orders \ 

No. 2. / 

I. At a meeting of the Council of Administration of this Depart- 
ment, held at these Head()uarters March 6, Comrade John F. Bruce 
of Post 19, Fitchburg, was unanimously elected a member of the Council, 
vice Comrade George W. Creasey, resigned. 



392 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



II. The following comrades are appointed on the Staff of the 
Commander, and they will be obej^ed and respected accordingly : — 



AIDES-DE-CAMP. 



Augustus J. Hoitt, 
John C. Sullivan, 
Alfred C. Monroe, 
Samuel M. Weale, 
George W. Merritt, 
J. A. Josselyn, 
James H. Rice, 
Joseph H. Gleason, 
George S Marsh, 
Rufus Livermore, 
Thomas H. Hill, 
Henry F. Sawyer, 



Lynn 

Middleboro 

Brockton 

E. Boston 

Scituate 

Brookfleld 

Brighton 

Hokleu 

Ware 

Orange 

Woburn 

Sterling 



Henry B. Peirce, 
George A. Thaj^er, 
John F. Dolan, 
Alfred J. Kirby, 
David L. Hodges, 
George D. Willis, 
Marcus Kimball, 
William W. Foster, 
Richard W. Oliver, 
William C. Wood, 
William B. Kimball, 
Lorenzo D. Sargent, 



Abington 

S. Boston 

Hudson 

Oxford 

Dedham 

Braintree 

Groveland 

S. Deerfleld 

New Bedford 

Ayer 

Enfield 

Lawrence 



III. A list of the officers elected at the Annual Encampment of 
this Department, held at Boston, January 29 and 30, appears in the 
roster accompanying this order. 

IV. Blanks for adjutant and quartermaster reports for first 
quarter are herewith forwarded to Posts. A further supply will be 
furnished as soon as received from National Headquarters. 

v. More definite information in regard to the headstones for 
soldiers' graves, as mentioned in National Circular No. 3, will be com- 
municated in next General Orders from National Headquarters. 



James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General . 



By order of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 

Department Commander. 



Headquarters Dept. op Mass., G.A.R 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3 
Boston, May 5, 1879 

HEADSTONES FOR SOLDIERS' GRAVES. 



79.) 



Special Circular. 

In compliance with Circular No. 3, from National Headquarters, 
and in accordance with Paragraph V. of General Orders No. 2 from these 
Headquarters, the following information is furnished regarding head- 
stones for the graves of Union soldiers Avho are buried in city, village, 
and private cemeteries, and " whose graves are unmarked." This applies 
to the graves of not only those who died during the war, but to those 
who have died since their muster-out or discharge. 

A blank is herewith forwarded on which the report is to be made, 
and all reports must be made to these Headquarters. Additional blanks 
will be furnished on application to this ofl^ce; but in all cases of orders 
for more blanks care should be taken to state the probable number of 
additional names to be reported. 

The utmost care should ])e taken in searching out all unmarked 
graves of soldiers who may be buried in this Commonwealth ; and to ac- 
complish this, the co-operation not only of city and town authorities, but 
all warm-hearted, loyal people of the State is invoked, to the end that 
the grave of every soldier may be plainly and permanently marked. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 39 J 



It is especially desirable, not only that all the information asked for 
on the blanks should l)e jiiven, viz. : name, rank, company, rej^iment, date 
of death, but that the writing should be perfectly plain and legible. 

In cities or towns Avhere there is more than one Post oif the Grand 
Army of the Republic, it is recommended that concerted action be taken, 
that there be no omissions. 

By order of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Mebch, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., "j 

53 Tremont Street, Room 3, J- 

General Orders \ Boston, May 5, 1879. J 

No. 3. / 

The comrades of this Department are hereby reminded of the near 
approach of May 30, the day appointed by the Rules and Regulations 
of the Grand Army of the Republic to be observed in commemoration of 
the services and sacrifices of our fallen comrades. 

It is expected that the Posts of this Department will, with the care 
bestowed in former years, seek out all graves of comrades " mustered 
out," and, with some floral tribute placed by loyal, loving hands upon each 
grave, prove that we have not forgotten them or the cause for which 
they died. As the time will soon come when other hands than ours 
must perform this beautiful ceremony, I would earnestly recommend 
that the children of soldiers and sailors be invited to unite with the 
Posts of this Department in the observance of the day, that they may 
fully appreciate the services of their fathers in transmitting to them a 
free country and a flag that is the emblem of liberty, equal rights, and 
national unity. 

Attention is called to the following resolutions that were unani- 
mously adopted at the twelfth annual meeting of the National Encamp- 
ment, held at Springfield, Mass., June 4, 1878. 

Wherkas, We, the members of the National Encampment, repre- 
sentatives of the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization that 
originated and established Memorial Day, and one of whose objects is to 
perpetuate it, have observed with deep regret a tendency among some 
people to use the occasion for picnics, excursions, and other merry- 
makings ; therefore, 

BesoJved, That we deprecate this tendency to depart from the 
proper observance of the day, and call upon members of the Order, those 
citizens who were friendly to us while Ave were in the field, and all per- 
sons who appreciate our motives, to frown down and discourage, by all 
means in their power, any and all attempts to desecrate this, to us, most 
sacred occasion. And the following : — 

Besulved, That all flags hoisted Memorial Day be at half-mast. 

By order of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



394 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., "| 

53 Tremont Street, Room 3, v 

General Orders \ Boston, June 4, 1879. J 

No. 4. ; 

I. General Orders No. 6 and Circular No. 5 from National Head- 
quarters are herewitli promulgated. 

II. The Commander desires to congratulate the comrades on the 
increased interest and membership, as shown in the reports for first 
quarter. A continuation of the same will give the Department a clear 
gain of at least one thousand members at the close of the year. 

III. A charter has been granted for a new Post in Milton, to be 
known as Huntington F. Wolcott Post 102 : J. Walter Bradlee, Com- 
mander. 

IV. Post 132 of Peabodj having surrendered its charter, a new 

Post has been organized in that town, to be Icnown as Post 50: 

Cyrus T. Batchelder, Commander. 

V. The inspection of the Posts in this Department will be con- 
ducted by the Department officers the same as last year ; and in order 
that all books and papers of the adjutant and quartermaster, as well as 
the records and accounts of relief committees and trustees, may be 
presented at the inspections, sufficient notice will be given to Post com- 
manders of the official visit. 

********* 

By order of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



5.A.R.,") 

)M 3, [ 
5, 1879. J 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 
General Orders \ Boston, Aug. 23, 

No. 5. i 

I. General Orders No. 8, from National Headquarters, are here- 
with promulgated. 

II. Post 50 of Peabody having adopted the name of " Union," the 
same has been approved. 

In accordance with Paragraph V., General Orders No. 4, from these 
Headquarters, the foUoAviug Department officers have been detailed to 
inspect the Posts whose numbers appear against their names : — 

Senior Vice Department Commander. John A. Hawes, 3, 8, 13, 46, 
52, 55, 72, 124, 127, 145, 14G. 

Junior Vice Department Commander, Samuel B. Spooner : 36, 41, 
71, 80, 97. 

Council of Administration, George H. Patch: 9, 10, 18, 22, 26, 43, 
44, 54, 63, 86, 91, 96, 113, 117. 

Council of Administration, J. Frank Dalton : 12, 45, 49, 50, 67, 82, 
89, 90, 95, 118. 

Council of Administration, George H. Howard: 11, 29, 30, 56, 
139, 149. 

Council of Administration, Azel Ames, Jr. : 4, 33, 35, 40, 66, 75, 148. 

Council of Administration, John F. Bruce: 48, 53, 59, 66, 69, 109, 
115, 116. 

Inspector, George W. Creasey : 5, 34, 39, 42, 47, 58, 100, 101, 108, 
114, 119, 122, 151. 

Judge Advocate, Giles H. Rich : 57, 62, 68, 81, 92, 94, 143, 144. 

Chief Mustering Officer, Charles W. Wilcox : 6, 14, 24, 25, 27, 61, 70, 
135, 142. 



FOUUTEENTH ANNUAL ENCA5IPMENT. 395 



Assistant Adjutant-General, James F. Meech : 1, 7, 15, IG, 17, 19, 
20, 23, 28, 31, 32, 37, 38, ol, 65, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 
93, 98, 99, 102, 104, 110, 111, 112, 121, 123, 125, 126, 131, 134. 136. 

It is expected that all Department otlicers, including aides-de-camp, 
will co-operate with and assist the above officers in their inspections 
when practicable. 

As it is important that the inspections should be concluded on or 
before December 1, it may be necessary in some instances to call special 
raeetin,a;s of Posts ; therefore commanders of Posts Avili govern them- 
selves accordingly. 

The traveling expenses of the officers will be borne by the Depart- 
ment, but all local expenses will be paid by the Post visited. At each 
inspection the complete ceremony Avill be shown, including muster-in; 
and all books and papers of tho Post, iuchiding records of the relief 
committee or trustees, must be presented for inspection. A statement 
of amount expended for relief, for the year ending September 30, will 
be required. 

Inspectors will insist upon a strict compliance with Section 1, 
Article VII., Chapter V., General llnles. Pules and Regulations. 

IV. The Assistant Adjutant-General will be absent on inspection 
duty during September ; but the Assistant Quartermaster-General will be 
in attendance from 12 to 1 o'clock daily. Correspondence will continue 
as usual. ******** 

By command of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, Sept 29, 1879. 

No. 6. ( 

I. General Orders No. 4 from National Headquarters are herewith 
promulgated. 

IL Blanks of Forms A and B are herewith forwarded to all Posts 
that have not l)een supplied. Sample envelopes have also been sent with 
the above; if desired, they will be supplied to all Posts who so order. 
Adjutants and quartermasters of Posts are reminded of the requirements 
of Rules and Regulations regarding returns, viz. : they are to be made 
out promptly on the tirst days of each quarter, and presented to the 
P.C. ; if correct, they are to be properly endorsed and forwarded by him, 
together with tho per capita tax, to Department Headquarters. The pro- 
visions of Section 1, Article II., Chapter V., General Rules, should be 
carefully observed. Posts should liear in mind that the basis of repre- 
sentation to next Department Encampment is determined by number 
reported in good standing this third (pmrter. 

III. A copy of Proceedings of National Encampment at Albany, 
together with the new Manual ado])ted at the same meeting, will be at 
once forwarded to Posts. A thorough familiarity with the Manual is of 
the utmost importance, especially to all officers, and it is recommended 
tliat it be read to the Post as soon as practicable after its reception. 
Particular attention is called to the article on " Court-Martial." 

IV. A supply of Rules and Regulations (edition of 1879) has been 
received. Posts or Comrades will be supplied at the usual price, six 
cents per copy. Every Post should have one or more copies . 

**!|<*****:|i 

By command of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



379.) 



396 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Headquarters Deft, of Mass., G.A.R. 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, Nov. 24, 187 

No. 7. / 

I. General Orders No. 5, and circular from National Headquarters, 
together with a confidential circular from these Headquarters, are here- 
with promulgated to this Department. Especial attention is called to 
the circular from this office. 

II. Post 103 of Chicopee has been reorganized, with its original 
name and number, viz. : "Otis Chapman Post 103"; Amos 0. Kinney, 
Commander. 

III. Blanks of Form F, on which the annual surgeon's report is to 
be made, are herewith inclosed. This report must accompany the adju- 
tant's and quartermaster's reports for fourth quarter, 1879. Only 
those wounded comrades are to be reported who were omitted last year 
and those who have been admitted this year. A copy of this report must 
be retained in the Medical Descriptive Book of the Post. In case a Post 
has no wounded comrades to report, the Blank F will be returned to 
these Headquarters so endorsed. 

IV. Posts must bear in mind that the first meeting in December is 
the time appointed for the election of Post officers and representatives 
to the Department Encampment. A blank is herewith inclosed on which 
Posts are to make the return of the election of Post Commander and 
delegates and alternates. Be sure to give name and post-office address of 
new Post Commander on this blank. The nuraljer of delegates to which 
each Post is entitled shall be determined by the number of comrades 
reported in good standing on reports for quarter ending September 30. 
The basis of representation remains as lieretofore. 

V. The order announcing mustering officers Avill be issued early 
in December, and the Chief will be governed by the wishes of Posts in 
their selection, when practica])le. Recommendations must be forwarded 
on or before December 20, and in no case will an assignment be made 
unless the Post or its representative so designates. 

VI. All Posts that have not forwarded lists of unmarked soldiers' 
graves are directed to do so at once. 

********* 

By command of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meecit, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjuta^it- General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
Boston, Nov. 22, 1879. 
Confidential Circular. 

Comrades: The Commander desires to impress upon the minds of 
all comrades and the Posts of this Department the importance of renewed 
and constant work, tending to an increase of the membership, not only 
by the admission of recruits, but by tlie reinstatement of members that 
have been suspended and dropped. 

The especial attention of comrades is called to the large number of 
members that have been lost by suspension and are being carried on 
such rolls in all the Posts of this Department. 

The reports of the inspectors show that in many Posts a number 
equal to one-third or one-half of the membership of the Posts are on the 
suspended lists ; and unless earnest ettbrts are made to gather in and rein- 
state such members before Jan. 1, 1880, this Department will show a loss 
in membership. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 397 



This condition of things should not be allowed to exist in this 
Commonwealth,- while New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsyl- 
vania, and the Western States are showing large gains. Massachusetts 
has occupied the proud position of being the leader in our Order, and 
there is no reason why she should take even second place, and especially 
in an organization that is pre-eminently the representative veteran order 
of the country. 

I would recommend that a committee on delinquent members be at 
once appointed in each Post to act Avith the quartermaster, and that 
every effort be made to increase the membership and show the actual 
standing of the Department. 

The Order in this State is in excellent condition, with the exception 
referred to, and this is generally the result of carelessness on the part of 
comrades. If Posts Avill act at once and earnestly in this matter, we 
can show a net gain of at least one thousand members by our annual 
reports. 

By command of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech. Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



579.) 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
Boston, Dec. 27, 18; 
General Orders \ 
No. 8. ; 

The following-named comrades are hereby detailed as mustering 
officers, and will install the officers of the Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names : — 

Henry W. Briggs, New Bedford, 1 Alfred M. AVilliams, Taunton, 3 
J. W. Sawyer, Saugus, 4 George S. Merrill, Lawrence, 5 

John A. Hawes, Fairhaven, 8 O. F. Nims, Boston, 7 

C. W. Wilcox, Milford, 18 A. M. Parker, Worcester, 10, 70 
William F. Draper, Milford, 22 John Phillips, Waltham, 19 
Henry N. Fisher, Waltham, 29 Joseph H. Barnes, E. Boston, 23 
S. B. "Crane, S. Boston, 32 Geo. H. Patch, S. Framingh'm, 30 
J. Frank Dalton, Salem, 34 George H. Buck, Chelsea, 35 
Edward Hogan, E. Brookfleld, 38 William A. Alley, Marlboro', 43 
Henrv B. Peirce, Abington, 47 E. P. Simpson, S. Framingham, 44 
Charles H. Chase, Salem, 50 William C. Wood, Ayer, 48 
Richard F. Tobiu, Cambridgep't, 57 George S. Evans, Cambridge, 56 
Lucius Field, Clinton, 64 A. G. Forbush, Ashland, 63 

D. O. Judd, Holyoke, 71, 103 Jonas Brown, W. Warren, 65 
A. C. Monroe, Brockton, 73 A. St. John Chambre, Franklin, 72 
W.W.Montgomery, N.Adams, 79,120 John L. Parker. Woburn, 75 
Charles Stowell, S. Deerfleld, 84 C. E. Barnes, Plymouth. 76 
J. F. Dolan, Hudson, 86 Joseph Gregory, Marblehead, 82 
Joseph Blake, Danvers, 90 William G. Sheen, Quiucy, 88 
John F. Ridley, Methuen, 100 C. B. Baldwin, Melrose, 95 
Cleaveland Gould, Georgetown, 108 Charles B. Fox, Boston, 102 
A. N. Sampson, Boston, 113 Charles H. Mansfield, Saugus, 118 
James W. Goodrich, Amesbury, 122 Charles Grev, Athol, 123 
Charles F. King, Somcrville, 139 William H. Hart, Chelsea, 142 
David L. Hodges, Boston, 144, 149 John T. Wilson, Winchester, 148 

XL Post Commanders will at once put themselves in communica- 
tion with their mustering officers, giving time and place of installation. 
In case of the absence of the comrade designated above for any Post, and 
where no comrade has been assigned, any past Post commander in good 



398 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Standing (except the retiring commander) may act. In no case -will the 
ofRcers of any Post be installed until all reports and dues have been 
forwarded. (See page 7 of the Service Book.) 

By command of JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 

Department Commander. 
Charles "VV. Wilcox, 
James F. Meech, Chief Mustering Officer. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., ] 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, \ 
General Orders \ Boston, Dec. 29, 1879. J 

No. 9. / 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department -will be convened 
in the Academy of Music, Market Street^ Lynn, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 
1880, at 7 o'clock p.m., for the election of Department officers and the 
transaction of such other business as may come before it. Posts are 
entitled to the following ratio of representation : One delegate for 
every fifty members reported in good standing September 30, with one 
additional for final fraction of more than half that number ; but each 
Post, whatever its numbers, shall be entitled to at least one delegate. 
Post commanders are members of the Encampment by virtue of their 
ofl3ce. 

II. Department Headquarters will be established at the Sagamore 
House, where the Council of Administration will assemble at 4 o'clock 
P.M., January 28. 

III. The Commander of Post 5 will detail an Ofticer of the Day, 
an Officer of the Guard, and at least eight Sentinels for duty during the 
Encampment. The Otticer of the Day will report to the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General at 6.30 P.M. on the 28th for instructions. 

IV. The adjutant's, quaitermaster's, and surgeon's reports, 
together with all dues and a list of delegates and alternates to Depart- 
ment Encampment, should be forwarded to these Headciuarters on or 
before Jan. 10, 1880. The Rules require the exclusion from the Encamp- 
ment of any Post failing to make complete returns, especially surgeon's 
report on Form F. (See Paragraph III., General Orders No. 7, from 
these Headquarters.) Two blank ci'edentials have been furnished each 
Post. These blanks should give name and post-office address of Com- 
mander for 1880, also, names of delegates and alternates ; but these 
credentials, as well as reports for the fourth quarter, must be signed by 
the officers of 1879. One copy of credentials is to be forwarded to 
Headquarters as above ; the other copy is to be taken to the Encampment 
by a representative of the Post. 

Section 1, Article II., Chapter V., Rules and Regulations, provides 
that Post commanders shall forward at the close of each quarter, with 
the quarterly returns. " the names of any members of his Post in good 
standing who have held the position of Commander-in-Chief, Senior 
Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief of the Na- 
tional Encampment, or of Department Commander, and a list of names 
of rejected applicants," for the quarter. 

VI. All communications regarding quarters at the Encampment 
should be addressed to Comrade Alex. S. Wright, Lynn, Mass. Further 
information regarding transportation, quarters, etc., will be given in a 
circular to be issued soon after January 1. 

By command of JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 399 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 TuKMONT Strkkt, Room 3, 
General Orders 1 Boston, Jan. 20, 1880. 

No. 10. / 

I. So much ol" Paragraph I., General Orders No. 9, from these 
Headquarters, calling the annual meeting of the Department at the 
Academy of Music, is hereby revolsed, and the Encampment will assemble 
at Odd Fellows Hall, corner Marlvet and Summer Streets, Lynn, at the 
hour previously named, viz. : 7 o'clock p.m., January 28. Commanders 
of Posts will inform all their delegates of the above change. 

II. An invitation having been extended to the officers of Post 5 to 
exemplify the work of the Order in the presence of the Encampment, and 
the same having been accepted, it is desired that every Post in the De- 
partment should be represented at this meeting, not only for the purpose 
of witnessing the new muster-in service, but to take part in the general 
business of the Convention, which promises to be of more than usual 
interest. Further information regarding transportation, etc., etc., is 
contained in a circular herewith inclosed. 

III. The address of any of the following-named persons is wanted 
at these IIead(iuarters : Sergeant Schanks, Sergeant Ingram, Sergeant 
Smith, Corp. George Miller, Luke Olio, Edward Sch«g, Thomas Jones, 
all of Co. B, 2d U.S. Cav. 

By command of 

JOHN G. B. ADAMS, 
James F. Meech, Depai-tme.nt Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 




JOHN A. HAWES, 
Departnient Commander, 

1880. 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

LiNCAMPMENT AT BOSTON, 
1881. 



The Annual Encampment of the Department of jMassachu- 
Graud Army of the Kepublic, was called to order in Faneuil 
-ton, Jan. 26, 1881, at 7.30 p.m., by Department Coni- 
'mi a. Hawes. 

as offered by Department Chaplain John AV. Lee. 
ler Hawes announced that, in compliance with a 
>pted at the last Encampment, the Council had 
'^' ' .tern of tickets, hoping thereby to do away with the 
^11-call. The tickets were in themselves credentials ; and 
inder announced that in accordance with the " Rules of 
je had appointed a committee of five on credentials, as 
vs:— , 

Assistant Adjutant-General James F. Meech, Inspector < 

rge W. Creasey, Comrade Charles A. Stott of the Council, 
-de-Camp William A. Sloane, and Comrade George W. ' 

s of Post 15. 
lie Assistant Adjutant-General reported for the above 

^tee : — 
'"hole number of comrades entitled to seats 

in this Encampment 311 

Whole number present 236 

Divided as follows : — 

Department officers 11 

Past Department Commanders -1 

Post Commanders '"^"^ 

Delegates and Alternates l-i- 

Total -36 

The report of the committee was accepted. 

401 

26 



402 EARLY HISTORr DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

On motion of Commander George A. Thaj^er of Post 2, the 
reading of the records was dispensed with. 

An invitation was extended to the Past Department Com- 
manders present to take seats on the platform, and Comrades 
William Cogswell, George S. Merrill, and John G. B. Adams 
responded. 

The next business was the reports of the Department 
officers, commencing with the 

ADDRESS OF DEPARTMENT COMMANDER JOHN A. HAWES. 

Coynrades : 

Agreeable to custom, it devolves upon me to impart to you 
whatever may be of interest concerning our organization, either 
by way of information or suggestion. We have met together for 
business, and it is not the time or place to indulge in " glittering 
generalities," for oratorical display, or flights of eloquence. 
Were it so I should not attempt that which I know would be a 
failure upon my part and weariness on yours ; so, briefly as is 
possible, I ask attention to that which I have the honor to report 
to you. 

It is with much pleasure and pride that I congratulate y^w 
upon the increased confidence manifested by the people of ^^j 
Commonwealth towards our organization, its objects and its aini.t 
Our beloved State, which has always been as father and mother 
to the "boys in blue" in the person of its chief magistrate as 
representative, has always been ready and willing to respond to 
our call, and by his voice and presence at our gatherings, mani- 
fest the Commonwealth's love for and sympathy with the members 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and their old comrades in 
arms. 

It is not my purpose to compare the past year with others, as 
to the numerical standing of comrades in our Department ; and it 
is only necessary for me to say, as you will see by the various 
reports, that our roll has during the past year been increased ; and 
by information received from various parts, our gain has been 
healthy, our growth apparently lasting until death orders to "break 
ranks." It is not the result of spasmodic interest, but that which 
comes from sober reason combined with action. Our companion- 
ship, bound together by the triple cord of "Fraternity, Charity, 
and Loyalty," must enfold all honorable men who, in the times 
"that tried men's souls," shoulder to shoulder supported each 
other while toiling up the rugged and blood-stained hill of war, 
and planted " Old Glory" on its summit, to be seen and honored 
by all the nations of the earth ; and shoulder to shoulder, heart 
with heart, still supporting each other, should march together down 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 403 

into the valley of the shadow of death : and it should be our duty 
and our pride, by personal effort, to enlist them m ooir ranks. 
Appeals solely to sympathy are evanescent: to reason, lasting; 
and no organization on the face of the earth can more justly 
appeal to its fellow men than can the old soldier and sailor to their 
former companions in arms. 

For our .numerical increase and strength and financial stand- 
ing, I respectfully refer you to the reports of the Inspector and 
Quartermaster-General. In brief, our gain has been during the 
year, 604 ; amount in relief fund, §62,207.89 ; gain over last year, 
$4,343.51; amount expended for relief, §19,291.77; increase 
over last year, $1,462.22. 

MEMORIAL DAY A LEGAL HOLIDAY. 

Agreeably to votes passed at the last Annual Encampment, 
I have petitioned the Legislature that Memorial Day be made a 
legal holiday, and that the Adjutant-General be authorized to loan 
the military camp equipage belonging to the State to all county 
and State encampments of our organization ; and the petition has 
been referred to appropriate committees. 

PAST COMMANDER CUSHMAN. 

It will be remembered bj' comrades who were present at our 
last State encampment that a communication was read from Com- 
rade Cushman of Post 1 , relative to his status in the Department, 
with a protest against his being refused the honors due a past 
department commander. The whole matter was referred, dili- 
gent inquiry has been made relative thereto, and the result which 
has been arrived at will be laid before you for action ; and the 
following report of the Judge Advocate will be a guide in your 
decision : — 

Boston, Jan. 24, 1881. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-Getieral. 

Comrade: In the matter of Comrade Austin S. Cushman, formerly 
commander of this department, I find by the papers in the case that he 
was not borne on the returns of the Post as amember, from July 1, 1871, 
to Jan. 21, 1880, and during that time paid no dues, and was charged 
witli none on the Quartermaster's bool^s, and was treated as a dropped 
member. Whether actually dropped or not, the Post records fail to 
show, and the records hied with the Assistant Adjutant-General are 
destroyed by fire. x\.lthough I am of the opinion that on the Post re- 
instating the comrade on Jan. 21, ISSO. he became fully invested with 
his honors and privileges as a Past Department Commander, I think it 
l)est that the opinion of the National Encampment, and legislation, if 
necessary, be asked, to fully restore such rights as a past department 
commander is by the laws of our Order entitled to. 

I, therefoi-e, respectfully recommend that the matter be brought 
before the Department Convention, with a view to further action therein, 
if that Convention shall deem it proper. 

Yours, in F., C, and L., 

GILES H. RICH, 

Judge Advocate. 



40,4 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OK MASS., G.A.R. 



WOMAN S RELIEF CORPS. 

The relationship of the "Woman's State Relief Corps " to our 
organization was the subject of much debate at our last Encamp- 
ment. Having since that time become more familiar with its 
objects and of the desire of its members generally to be " help- 
meets " and upon consultation with its principal officers, having 
been convinced that there was no desire on the part of a large 
portion of its officers to have attached to the association any name 
which would interfere with the constitution or by-laws of our 
organization, and believing that its object is from a conscientious 
desire to aid us in our work of charity, and not from selfish 
motives ; knowing that in its ranks are ladies who sorely suffered 
by the sacrifices which they made for loved ones while in the camp 
or on the battlefield, while years have not effaced from their 
memories the effect the war had on them as individuals, and that 
the old-time sympathy is still extended to our unfortuuate com- 
rades, I give the Association my sincere and cordial support ; but 
it is as a separate and distinct organization. It is for us to guard 
with jealous care our name, and see to it that no wedge, however 
small, shall find an entrance which may in time sever the bond 
which links the old soldiers and sailors together, and no organi- 
zation sit officially at our board which may in time practically eat 
our own flesh. So I respectfully commend to your sympathies, 
aid, and encouragement the " Woman's State Relief Corps" with- 
out the Grand Army of the Republic. 

SUFFOLK COUNTY ASSOCIATION. 

Having derived much satisfaction and pleasure in reading 
reports from various Posts relative to the observance of Memorial 
Day in their respective localities, and the increased interest mani- 
fested by the citizens, particularly in country towns, in assistance 
rendered our comrades in fidelity to the memory of their dead — 
yet knowing that in the hurry and bustle incident to our large 
cities or towns, especially where two or more Posts are situated, 
the ceremonies incident to that day were almost unheeded, except 
by those who were interested, it gave me much pleasure to see in 
some of the newspapers published in this city that a movement 
was being inaugurated by the Suffolk County Posts to unite on 
that day, and by combined effort so arrange the day's proceedings 
that every person would be made to feel and know that the living 
soldier and sailor, jealous of his rights and the glorious memories 
of the past, was not entirely merged into the citizen, and there 
were some who had not forgotten the dead. In other Depart- 
ments, New York especially, it is the day of the year. Human 
nature is so constituted that a thing is soon forgotten by the public 
which is of special interest only to individuals ; and if there is 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL EKCAMPMENT. 405 

auy organization on the face of God's earth which deserves — aye, 
and should demand — public recognition, it is the Grand Army of 
the Republic, and especially on that day. If it cannot be done in 
any other way, let "pomp and circumstance" be brought into 
attract the attention of the old and remind the younger generations 
that by such men as you and our comrades this Nation was pre- 
served to them as a goodly heritage. I trust the day soon will come 
when by a legislative enactment the day shall be made a legal 
holiday, and unsympathizers be made to feel, if in no other way 
than by their pockets, — for, unfortunately, that is the place where 
some men's brains are located, — that there is something due to 
those men who were instrumental in causing the financial prosperity 
which now blesses an undivided land. 

CAMP-FIRES, ETC. 

"In unity there is strength " is an adage as true today as when 
written ; and the closer we can get in companionship, the greater 
will be our interest in each other, of wider extent our power, and 
the longer continued our sjmipathy one with another. Words can- 
not convey to you the pleasure by me received when visiting the 
various country Post encampments. We all need such gather- 
ings in which "to fight our battles o'er again" and "show how 
fields were won." The old gray-head is a boy again, and the 
old camp joke and merriment send the blood coursing through his 
veins ; scenes almost forgotten come back ; comrades are met 
whose faces had almost faded from memory ; camp life, with all 
its joys and sorrows, comes crowding back to find that place in 
our hearts over which fifteen years had almost drawn the veil of 
forgetfulness. I hope the day is not far distant when our usual 
avocations may be laid aside, and for a few days the whole De- 
partment camp together, as we did of old, there renewing our 
pledge of faithfulness to each other, amid scenes somewhat akin 
to those " in the days when we went soldiering," a long time ago. 

A DEPARTMENT UNIFORM. 

I feel that now I am to touch upon a matter concerning 
which there is much difference of opinion, and various reasons are 
given why no action should be taken by the Department, but the 
whole subject be left with individual Posts ; but so far as I am 
concerned, I understandingly and conscientiously say there is no 
one thing which will be more advantageous to our organization, 
and of interest to those without, in my opinion, than a uniform 
for the whole Department. We are a semi-military organization ; 
we all have worn the blue, and many of those who would now 
turn up their noses at the sight of a brass button, twenty years 
ago were rejoiced to see them — on some other person. Those 
who know me better than you will testify that I am not a lover 



406 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

of fuss and feathers, or display. But let your own reason put the 
question, Does, or does not, any organization feel more pride in 
its out-door parade if the members are in uniformity of appear- 
ance, rather than in shades of motley hue? Does it not bind 
them closer together ? There is such a thing as corps pride, and 
none can deny it. A comrade, whose acquaintance I very much 
value, objected to wearing a button, because he might be taken 
for a uniformed corporation employee. When his head gets as 
gray as mine, he'll care very little what he's taken for, so long 
as he knows what he is himself. All other organizations have 
their distinct dress. Who on God's footstool has a better 
right to the blue and the brass than the old soldier and sailor? 
Who better can afford to let others laugh than he whose heart, 
within the folds of blue, beats for his country's flag, and within 
it whose blood was shed for its defense? Comrades, cherish with 
pride the memory of the old worn and faded blouse, and whatever 
will keep its memory green, that nourish in your breast, even if 
you are taken for other than you are! What matters it? Your 
uniform means something, and the whole story in ages cannot be 
told. Some will say that a very large majority of our comrades 
are poor men as to wordly goods and can ill afford the expense. 
There is no necessity that a uniform should be expensive ; and I 
doubt not that if comrades should so determine, that some simple 
yet effective habiliment could be devised, which would receive the 
approbation of all comrades and greatly add to the effectiveness 
of our organization. 

DUTY OF PAST OFFICERS. 

When I had the honor to serve you in the capacity of Junior 
and Senior Vice-Commander, I officially, as a Deputy Inspector, 
visited many Posts, and I was at times very much surprised at 
the slim attendance. I found that a few kept up an active 
interest, and generally were prompt in their attendance at Post 
meeting. Upon inquiry as to the cause, I frequently heard the 
complaint that Post officers seemed to lose their interest as soon 
as the official chair was vacated. " A little leaven leaveneth the 
whole lump"; and I would recommend to the careful considera- 
tion of all who thus are spoken of, to "think on these things," 
and ask themselves if they are not partly to blame for their com- 
rades' non-attendance, and see to it that the charge, so often 
heard, that they step fr.om the chair out of doors, does not become 
the cause of so much complaint. There are many Posts in the 
Department where, owing to long distances, comrades are obliged 
so to travel in order to attend meetings that from the nature of 
things it is almost impossible to insure a prompt and full 
attendance. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 407 

Would it not be well in such cases for monthly meetings to be 
held and a strong effort made for a full presence ? I am aware 
that we all crave novelty and excitement, and that week after 
week, nothing but the form of the week before is, to use a com- 
mon expression, gone through with; and it becomes wearisome 
and seemingly hardly worth the while to travel much distance for. 
In some of our Posts, where the members are scattered over quite 
an extent of territory, an effort is made to have an agreeable 
social evening after the close of the regular meeting, by debates, 
literary or musical entertainments, each one exerting himself to 
amuse, entertain, or instruct. I mentally, now, see such a Post ; 
and it is one of the most flourishing in our Department, and 
some of its comrades travel miles, no matter what the weather 
may be, in order to enjoy the companionship and entertainment 
provided for them. Nothing can be accomplished without thought 
and labor; and these Posts which, Micawber-like, are waiting for 
something to turn up, must not be surprised if they soon are 
numbered among " the things that were." The tie that binds us 
together is no common one, but one which we should all strive to 
strengthen in the years to come, lest when too late we think what 
" might have been." 

PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS. 

I am sorry to say, relative to the proposition to print the 
doings of our annual Encampment, as is done by most of the other 
Departments, there was not such interest manifested by the Posts 
at large in their application for copies, as warranted the expendi- 
ture. The time will surel}' come when it will be a matter of 
regret, and I hope we shall at some time provide a way by which 
that desired result may be accomplished. 

soldiers' home. 

The Trustees of the Soldiers' Home Association have com- 
pleted the purchase of that property formerly known as the 
"Highland Park Hotel," situated in Chelsea, subject to certain 
conditions. Although not so conversant with the subject matter 
as my predecessor, having only within a short time been elected 
as one of the trustees, yet, as a matter probably of great interest 
to you, it gives me pleasure to announce the fact, and also state 
that arrangements are being made for a fair, during the next fall 
or winter months, in aid of the fund to be provided for the suitable 
maintenance of the same. 

It is not necessary for me to appeal to your sympathies or 
your reason in order to enlist your personal interest toward the 
successful issue of the proposed project ; and I feel that when the 
proper time comes, with heart and hands you will be ready, as 



408 EAKLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

will all comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, to add 
their influence and their personal work, that the " Home" may be, 
for all needy and homeless old comrades within or without our 
ranks, an asylum free from the shadow or taint of town or city 
dependence, and where, in peace and quietness, they will escape 
any odium which might otherwise be attached to them in their 
misfortune. 

POST AND DEPARTMENT OFFICERS. 

In my official connection with you, experience has taught me 
that great care should be exercised in the selection of Post and 
Department officers who have the time and inclination to attend to 
the duties incumbent upon their position. AVhere one fails in his 
duty another has added burdens; for no organization can "run 
itself" — and ours, apparently with new life infused into its veins, 
requires much thought, time, and labor for the successful conduct 
of its affairs. I have been fortunate that your selection of officers 
to aid me in my duties has made them comparatively light ; and 
all these I desire, here in your presence, to sincerely thank for the 
uniform kindness and assistance I have received from them. To 
the members of my personal staff I am under great obligations 
for their faithful performance of duties, their cheerful and pleasant 
intercourse. 

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

I congratulate you and myself that we were so fortunate as 
to be able to retain the services of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General, occupying a position which requires peculiar natural 
endowments for its successful conduct : those qualifications to a 
very large extent are embodied in him who has been our right- 
hand man so many years. Comrades, not as a meaningless com- 
pliment, it is the sincere utterance of my heart, when in your 
presence I publicly thank him for his valuable assistance to you 
and to me. None but those who are officially brought into close 
contact with the multifarious duties appertaining to that position 
can have any idea of its extent and the very many annoyances to 
which he is subjected. Year by year does the official business 
accumulate ; and such is our Department reputation that we are 
looked to by other departments as counsel and as guide. It will 
be remembered that at our last Encampment a vote (if I remember 
aright) , in the form of a request, was passed, that the Headquarters 
office should always be open and the Assistant Adjutant-General 
should not be detailed for inspection duty ; firmly believing 
that such should be the case, and being determined in my 
own mind, upon entering the duties appertaining to my position, 
that such should be an enforced rule. Circumstances since have 
forcibly reminded me of the old Scotch saying, "The plans of 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 409 

mice and men gang aft agley." In consultation with the Depart- 
ment Inspector, it was found, under existing circumstances, that 
a thorough inspection, of Posts was simply impossible without the 
assistance of the Assistant Adjutant-General. I am still of the 
opinion that such a state of things should not exist. 

As I before have said, the work incidental to the office is 
yearly assuming larger proportions ; and I respectfully recommend 
to my successor in office that, in addition to the usual staff, aides 
be selected with the iinderstauding that the position is not one of 
honor alone, but witli it there must be work, and a portion of that 
work as assistant inspector, if called upon by the Department In- 
spector. There is a feeling among comrades that Department 
officers and others in official positions do not render the aid, 
sympathy, and encouragement which their presence in Post rooms 
would give ; but comrades should bear in mind that time and 
money are absolutely essential for this work, and that when visits 
are made, it is at times with much inconvenience. It is very easy 
to say " Why don't you come and see us" — not as easy to go. 
Posts must rely upon themselves, be thoroughly in earnest, at all 
times prepared for any official work or inspection. Many times 
have I heard the question, " When is the Inspector coming? We 
want to be ready for him." Eternal work is the price of success, 
and there must be interest in that work, or lamentable failure is 
the result. 

I would further respectfully recommend that the Assistant 
Adjutant-General be authorized to spend a sum not exceeding two 
hundred dollars for clerk hire — the additional expense would hardly 
be felt, by slight requisite increase in the per capita tax. My own 
observation in the office has convinced me that the Department 
would be very much the gainer by such an addition to the personnel 
of the office. It is for you, however, to make such disposition 
of this and other matters recommended as your judgment may 
determine. 

For three successive years, unsolicited by me, comrades have 
placed me in official positions, which I consider the highest lionors 
of my life. Words cannot express my gratitude to them for these 
manifestations of confidence and esteem. The unvarying kind- 
nesses which I have received from their lips and hearts will be for- 
ever green in my memory. Connected with no other organization 
but ours, having no social, financial, or political ambition to 
gratify, I laid before our altar a sincere desire to serve faithfully 
and as well as my capacity would allow : which, combined with 
my entire belief in the principles of this brotherhood, my strong 
interest in its welfare, my reverence for all who wore the blue in 
" the times that tried men's souls " (looking upon all those who 
from pure and patriotic motives offered their lives that tlie nation 
might live as worthy to stand by the side of the noblest of the 



410 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

land — aye, even in the presence of the Almighty God) , I invoked 
all the power I possessed. Although my term of service compared 
with many of yours was but short, — from circumstances beyond 
my control, — my heart by day and night was with you, rejoicing 
in your victories, with you suffering in defeat. Time had not 
lessened my love and regard for you, and so I took upon mj^self 
your trust. My shortcomings have been many : there have been 
errors ; but they were of the head, not of the heart. 

It has been said, " Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" ; 
but. Comrades, your smiles and cheering words have made "my 
yoke easy, and my burden light." I claim no prophetic eye; but 
we can judge the future by the past. In the last two years a 
large accession has been made to our ranks, and all that now is 
needed is personal work. The time will come, if we so determine, 
all old desired comrades will again, shoulder to shoulder, march 
on ; not, we hope, Avith deadly weapons in their hands, but with 
the words. Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty inscribed upon their 
banners, illuminating their pathway with that light which can only 
come from a brotherhood cemented together by such ties as ours 
— a charity that " vaunteth not itself," a loyalty as true to the old 
flag as in the days of old, and a love for it as warm as was the 
life-blood poured out in its defense. 

Comrades, the trust you gave to me will soon be placed in 
other hands. He whom you so honor may do more than I have 
been able to accomplish for " the good of the Order" ; but I will 
not yield to him or to any other comrade a greater sympathy 
with, or a more intense love for, the Grand Army of the Republic, 
its motives, your welfare, and its prosperity, than have I. With 
a heart overflowing with gratitude for the great compliments and 
honors by you shown to me, I shall take with me into the ranks a 
stronger love than ever for your companionship, and, if possible, 
a more enthusiastic devotion to the principles of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General announced that the morning 
session of the Encampment on the 27 th would be held in the 
Meionaon, Tremont Temple, No. 78 Tremont Street. The Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General, in behalf of the Committee on Credentials, 
reported that Post 135 of Shrewsbury had made complete returns 
with the exception of surgeon's report, Form F ; but through a 
misunderstanding with the Post surgeon, the Post Commander, 
who was present, had been unable to obtain his report. On 
motion of Comrade E. W. Thompson of Post 42, it was voted 
that the Commander of Post 135 be admitted. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 411 

REPORT OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

Boston, Jau. 26, 1881. 
Commander and Comrades of the Department: 

I have the honor to present herewith my fifth annual report of 
transactions at Headquarters for tlie year 1880, whicli has been 
one remarkable for our organization in many ways, but more 
especially for the lively interest manifested by men outside, as well 
as the comrades in tlie association. 

There never has been, since I have been at the Headquarters, 
a time when there has been so much real enthusiasm shown by the 
comrades ; and this, as of necessity it must, has been to a great 
degree contagious ; and there have been many anxious inquiries as 
to the merits of the Grand Army of the Republic, which have been 
followed by the admission to our ranks of a large number of com- 
rades who have become satisfied that as long as they permitted 
themselves to remain aloof from us their lives were incomplete ; 
or, to use a forcible, if not eloquent, term of the times, they were 
fearful lest they might "get left." 

The following figures will show the standing of the Depart- 
ment as compared with one year ago : — 

Number of Posts, Dec. 31, 1879 133 

' ' Comrades I'eported in good standing same date, 8,193 

" Posts Dec. 31, 1880 129 

" Comrades in good standing as far as reported, 

same date 8,868 

An actual gain so far as reported for 1880 675 

Five Posts have surrendered their charters during the year, 
viz. : — 

Post 14 AVoodville. 

" 36 Amherst. 

" 80 South Hadley. 

" 99 West Warren. 

" 125 South Boston. 

With the exception of the last named, these were all small 
Posts, averaging less than fifteen comrades each, and nearly all 
of them have joined neighboring Posts l)y transfer. 

There has been but one Post organized during the year, 
viz. : — 

Post 2 South Boston. 

The members of this Post being many of the former comrades 
of Post 125, 1 think I may say, without fear of contradiction, that 
Post 2 will compare favorably with any Post in the Department, 
all things considered. There are a number of applications for 
charters out, and I am satisfied that if a comparatively thorough 
canvass of the Commonwealth was made, it would result in the 



412 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

organization of a number of Posts. At least such has been 
the result in other States ; and when we consider that many of 
the larger towns in the Commonwealth have no branch of our 
association, it must also be true that they have their propor- 
tionate number of veterans. 

The following detailed changes have taken place in the mem- 
bership of the Posts comprising the Department during the year, 
from Oct. 1, 1879, to Oct. 1, 1880 : — 

Number of comrades admitted by muster-in . . 1,194 
" " " transfer . . . 104 

" " " reinstatement . 1,256 



Total gain 2,554 

Number of comrades lost by death Ill 

" " " honorable discharge . 56 

" " " transfer .... 142 

" " " suspension .... 1,337 



Total loss 1,646 

Excess of gains over losses 908 

Number of rejections during the year 45 

Generally the reports of Posts are made promptly and cor- 
rectly ; still there are a number of Posts that are delinquent in both 
the foregoing respects. I trust that all such will consider the 
admonition kindly, and remember that in a soldiers' organization 
the promptness and correctness of the old days should not be 
forgotten. 

After another year's experience with our present system of 
suspending and dropping of members, as provided by Rules and 
Regulations, I am more firmly impressed that it is all wrong and is 
detrimental to the best interests of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. The Council of Administration will refer to this matter in 
their report, and I am satisfied that the plan they propose is or 
would be the correct solution of the whole difficulty. 

By my last report there was a balance of $32.65 remaining 
in the contingent fund. 

During the year there have been many calls for assistance ; 
and the demands have seemed to be so imperative that the above 
balance has been entirely expended. One case in particular under 
this head deserves mention, viz. : that of a man in the Union service 
during the war, who through misfortune and accident early in 
February last, became an inmate of the City Hospital in Boston, 
and died in that institution. As he had no relatives or friends to 
take charge of his body he foresaw that he must be buried at the 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 413 

expense of the city ; but before his death he requested that the 
Grand Army of the Republic take charge of his body if possible. 
Arrangements were made for his interment in the soldiers' lot at 
Mount Hope Cemetery ; and on the 22d of February his wishes 
were complied with, a part of the expense being borne by the city, 
and the balance paid out of this fund. In referring to the impor- 
tance of such a fund, it becomes my pleasant duty to say to you 
that within a few days I have been notified that a sum of money 
will be given at once in charge of the Assistant Adjutant-General, 
to be expended judiciously by him and placed where it will do 
the most good. The source whence this fund comes is not to be 
known, except it is contributed through the influence of E. W. 
Kinsley Post 113, Grand Army of the Republic, of this city. A 
donation of this character at this time is peculiarly appropriate, as 
the relief funds of the Boston Posts are very low, and many calls 
are thereby made upon Department Headquarters. 

The year just closed has been a busy one with the Depart- 
ment officers ; and at Headquarters, by my record of visitors, 1 find 
that we have had about a third more than in 1879 ; and the corre- 
spondence has been over one-foui'th larger than the previous year : 
and if prompt service has not been rendered it has been from 
sheer inability, on account of the great stress of business. 

In closing this report, as imperfect as it is, I have to again 
express to you as Commander, and the other officers of the Depart- 
ment, and to all comrades with whom I have been brought in con- 
tact, my most unqualified thanks for uniform kindness at all 
times and under all circumstances. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



REPORT OF ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. 

Headquarters Dept. Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, Jan. 25, 1880. 
James F. Meech, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

Comrade: I have the honor to submit the following report 
of the Assistant Quartermaster-General's department for the year 
ending Dec. 31, 1880: — 



414 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



RECEIPTS. 

Cash on hand as per last report $154.38 

Dues received for fourth quarter, 1879 .... 662.81 

" first " 1880 .... 661). 52 

" «' " second " 1880 .... 702.08 

«« <' " third " 1880 .... 705.56 

Keceived for books and blanks 308.80 

" badges 862.52 

" " sundries 70.50 

Total receipts $4,136.15 

EXPENDITURES. 

Salary of Assistant Adjutant-General, with $100 
extra for work of Assistant Quartermaster- 
General $1,300.00 

Dues to National Headquarters 511.98 

Oflice expenses : printing ; rent, postage, etc. . . 939.36 

Supplies from National Headquarters 1,071.80 

Inspection expenses 212. 'i6 

$4,035.80 
As per vouchers Nos. 229, 231, 295, 353, 356, 397- 
400, 402-412, 414-60. 

Excess of receipts over expenditures . $100.35 

ASSETS. 

Due from Posts for dues (estimated) $712.00 

Due from Posts for sundries 97.35 

Books and blanks on hand 222.50 

Office furniture 175.00 

Colors 30.00 

Cash on hand 100.35 

Total assets . $1,337.20 

LIABILITIES. 

Inspector's expenses $ 5.00 

National Headquarters, for dues 132.50 

National Headquarters, for supplies 616.75 

Total liabilities $754.25 

Excess of assets over liabilities $582 95 

E. T. RAYMOND, 
Assistant Quartermastei'- General. 



REPORT OF INSPECTOR. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
Boston, Jan. 25, 1881. 
Jas. F. Meech, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

Comrade: As required by the Rules and Regulations, I 
herewith forward to you my annual report of the inspection of the 
Posts of this Department, together with a duplicate copy to be 
furnished to the Inspector-General of the National Encampment. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 415 

The Department at the present time consists of 129 Posts. 
Of this number 123 have been inspected. It is to be regretted 
that all were not \asited, as required by the Regulations ; but failure 
to arrange for meetings and other causes have necessitated the 
omission. Of the 123 Posts inspected, 30 are reported in excel- 
lent condition, 53 are reported in good condition, 37 are reported 
in fair condition, 3 are reported in poor condition. 

Tlie aggregate membership of these Posts at the time of 
inspection was 8,851, and that a definite idea may be had as to 
their relative strength I have classified them the same -as in my 
last report. 

There is one Post in this Department, Post 5 at Lynn, num- 
bering 516 comrades. 

Two Posts, Post 10 at Worcester and Post 34 at Salem, 
numbering between 300 and 350 comrades. One Post, 39 at 
Lawrence, of between 200 and 250 members. 

Eight Posts, 150 to 200; twelve Posts, 100 to 150; eleven 
Posts, 75 to 100; thirty Posts, 50 to 75; forty-one Posts, 25 to 
50 ; twelve Posts, 20 to 25 ; and five Posts numbering less than 
20. By a review of the figures it will be seen that 59 Posts (9 
less than last year) have a membership of less than 50. 

The reports of the inspecting officers show a very great 
improvement in membership, interest and usefulness of the Posts 
in the Department over that of previous years, and with a very 
few exceptions their prospects for the future may be considered 
good. 

In some of the smaller Posts, particularly in localities where 
the comrades are obliged to go two or three miles to attend a Post 
meeting, where the "muster-in" service is seldom performed, 
and where the prospects of an increase of membership are limited 
to a very small number, there is but little change from one year 
to another, except where a comrade dies or removes from the 
town ; and there the loss is severely felt, and can in but few 
instances be repau'ed. 

Attention is called to the condition of many of the Post 
charters, principally those issued in 1866 and 1867, and signed by 
Comrade A. S. Cushman as Department Commander. 

With many of them it is difficult to decipher either the date 
of their issue or the names of the charter members, and with 
others, the printing and penmanship are completely obliterated. 
Some provision should be made, either by the issuing of new 
charters or by a reproduction of the old. 

The adjutants' and quartermasters' departments are gen- 
erally in very excellent condition ; and as the Posts are indebted 
very largely to the faithfulness of these officers for the success 
they may attain, I trust I may be pardoned for suggesting that 
it would be the exercising of wise judgment to retain such officers 



416 'EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

where they have proven themselves honest, capable, and efficient. 
I desire to again call attention to the fact that in some of the 
Posts the books of the quartermaster have not been audited, or in 
any way examined or certified as to their correctness. 

The Rules and Regulations require the appointment of an 
auditing committee. This should be complied with by every 
Post. Errors are liable to occur even with the most careful and 
experienced accountant, and if discovered within a reasonable 
time could be easily rectified ; but if allowed to remain from one 
administration to another are liable to become serious, and, in 
many cases, result injuriously to the Post. 

The attention of Post commanders has been called to this 
omission, and it is to be hoped that in all instances where it exists 
it will be immediately corrected. 

That the work of the Ritual as presented at the last meeting 
of the Department might be more clearly understood, and its 
adoption become general throughout the Department, it was 
thought best to exemplify the same at convenient points west of 
Boston, accessible to the largest number of Posts. Accordingly 
orders were issued from Department Headquarters, notifying the 
Posts designated to perform the work, and extending an invitation 
to all who desired to witness its presentation. 

On the evening of May 111 visited Post 13 at Brockton, 
where the first meeting was held. There were present officers and 
comrades from South Easton, Weymouth, Abington, Rockland, 
South Abington, P'oxboro, Randolph, Pembroke, South Scituate, 
Canton, and Hanson: fourteen Posts in all, represented by 115 
comrades. 

IVlay 13 1 was present at Fitchburg, where the same duty was 
performed by Post 19 of that city. Delegations from Posts at 
Ayer, Leominster, Clinton, Princeton, Westminster, Groton, and 
Gardner were present, to the number of 125 comrades. 

May 18 I attendeda similar meeting at Springfield, where Post 
16 performed the work. There were present about 100 comrades, 
including representatives from Holyoke, Chicopee, and Ware. 

May 20 I visited Post 10 at Worcester. The Posts repre- 
sented at this meeting were from Grafton, Oxford, West Boylston, 
Spencer, North Brookfield, Webster, Warren, Holden, Leicester, 
Shrewsbury, and Rutland, aggregating 140 comrades. These 
meetings were generally attended by the officers of the Posts 
notified, and from the very excellent manner in which the work 
has been rendered, I believe they will prove to be of especial 
benefit to the Department. I earnestly recommend that the dele- 
gates to the next National Convention be instructed to present 
such a regulation as will forbid any further change in the ceremony 
of muster-in ; believing that, in this instance at least, imper- 
fection is far better than a continual change. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 417 

There are 100 Posts that have a relief fund amounting in the 
aggregate to 862,207.80, an increase over that of last year of 
$5,343.51. They have disbursed during the year ending Sept. 30, 
1880, 819,291.77, or 81,452.22 more than last year. The largest 
amount of the relief fund of any one Post in the Department is 
87,430.55, Post 58 at Weymouth having that amount. 

The largest amount disbursed during the last year by any one 
Post was by Post 5 at Lynn, they having paid from their relief 
fund 82,905.50. 

There are twenty-one Posts that pay weekly benefits in cases 
of sickness or disability, averaging 82.76 per week for a period 
ranging from six to sixteen weeks. 

There are three Posts in the Department that own the 
buildings they occupy — Posts 6, 49, and 101. 

There are three Posts that have a monument or memorial 
hall fund — Posts 39, 89, and 151. 

There are 103 Posts uniformed with hat, cord, wreath, and 
belt, and twenty-six are without uniforms. The average initia- 
tory fee of all the Posts in the Department is 82.17. The average 
amount paid for yearly dues is 82.61. 

There are 651 muskets owned by ninety-eight Posts. The 
remaining Posts in the Department report none. 

The entire expense to the Department for the yearly inspec- 
tion is 8144.56. In mentioning this fact I will say that as the 
inspection is performed chiefly by the Department oflicers, the 
expense attending that duty depends greatly upon the location of 
those officers. In closing, I desire to thank all who have partici- 
pated in the labors of inspection for the zeal and fidelity with 
which they have performed their duties, for the promptness with 
which they have made their returns, and for their willingness on 
every occasion to perform the work assigned them. To the 
Assistant Adjutant-Genera"! I feel particularly indebted for the 
kindness and courtesy he has alwaj's extended to me in my rela- 
tions with the Department. And finally, with the hope that as we 
grow older our friendship for each other may grow stronger and 
our regard for the noble association of which we form a part 
may continue to strengthen and finally ripen into the stronger 
bonds of love, 

I am, fraternally yours, 

GEO. W. CREASEY, 
Dejxfrtvient Insjjector. 

REPORT OF JUDGE ADVOCATE. 

Boston, Jan. 26, 1881. 
To (he tJncampment of the Department of Massachusetts. 

Comrades: In accordance with the provisions of the Rules 
and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic, I have the 

27 



418 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

honor of submitting to the Department Encampment the following 
report of the operations of my department : — 

The proceedings of the courts-martial have been referred to 
me, and in each case I have found formal errors of so grave a 
character that I have felt obliged to recommend to the Depart- 
ment Commander that the proceedings and findings be disap- 
proved. 

I have been called upon for decisions in several cases, which 
I think are of no general interest to the Encampment. They 
have been accepted by the Commander and acquiesced in by the 
parties directly interested: 

Respectfully submitted, in F., C, and L., 

GILES H. RICH, 

Judge Advocate. 

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 

Boston, Jan. 26, 1881. 
Commander and Comrades : 

My report for the past year will be necessarily a very brief 
one. The number of wounded men not previously reported, or 
who have joined the organization during the year, is 154. Three 
years ago much time and labor were expended in collecting these 
statistics, Avhich may possibly be of service to future historians, 
but probably of little use to the men chiefly concerned. 

So far as I can ascertain from the surgeons of Posts, but 
few comrades report to their own surgeon when sick ; and so it is 
impossible to collect the necessary data for a general report. It 
would be a matter of great interest if we could find out the per- 
centage of sick men in the Posts of Massachusetts, the number of 
days in the year that each man was prevented from working by 
reason of sickness, and the percentage of deaths during the year. 
We also need more detailed reports of the amount expended by 
each Post for comrades disabled by wounds or disease. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

W. S. BROWN, M.D., 

Medical Director. 



REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN. 

Boston, Jan. 26, 1881. 
Commander, Comrades: In presenting to you my second 
annual report, as Chaplain of the Department, I do it with grati- 
tude to our Heavenly Father for His sparing mercies to each 
member of the Department. None of us have fallen by the way, 
but are present tonight in the full enjoyment of good health to 
meet our comrades in Department Convention. I have no evil 
report to bring of your dealings towards me. In all my intercourse 



FIKTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MENT. 419 

with you, from you, Commander, down to him who holds tlie lowest 
rank in any Post of the Grand Anny of the Republic, I have 
received tonight naught but kindness and acts of courtesy. So 
that, notwithstanding the hardships of army life, the privations and 
ditliculties under which we passed to make our country what it is, 
I am proud to have become associated with such a noble body of 
men as are in'esent tonight, banded together for the purpose, not 
of a mutual admiration society, but of doing for the widows and 
orphans of those who fell in our hoi}'' cause what was promised 
should be done for you, should j'ou fall by disease or be dis- 
abled by the l)ullet of the enemj'. Others may have forgotten 
their pledges to the suffering ones ; but a true soldier and comrade 
of the Grand iVrmy, never. Others may fare sumptuously every 
daj% and be decked in purple and fine linen, and be unmindful 
of the tears of the widow and the hungry orphan ; but you, com- 
rades, from your hard-earned pittance, have carried comfort and 
joy to the widow and her beloved children. You, from the benevo- 
lence of 3H)ur heart, see that no soldiers lie in a pauper's grave. 
Comrades, continue in the good work while life shall last ; then 
may others take up the good work commenced by J'ou, until you 
are laid gently but reverently among the honored dead. We live 
in a noble State — our Governor a noble man, who would leave 
nothing undone that could be done consistently for the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

God bless the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ! 

Commander and Conu-ades, in regard to the manner of carry- 
ing out the services of Memorial Day, I have only to say, let rai 
earnest effort be made this year to make it, as in most other States, 
a legal holiday ; for scores and hundreds of our comrades are 
unable to unite with us who would gladly do so. But the work- 
shop is open, and they can obtain no permission to be absent, and 
are therefore deprived from attending this delightful service. 
There are a large number of cities and towns in ]\Iassachusetts. 
Memorial Day services are carried out perhaps not so extensivolj', 
and with such pomp and grandeur, as in some other States; but 
nobly is the work done — with simplicity, beautj', and solemnity. 
Some of your Posts rei)resent the States by the same number of 
young ladies dressed in white, bearing wreaths and flowers, who 
form a part of the procession ; others take in the sons of soldiers 
and sailors to form part of the parade, and thus enable them to 
take up the work of tlieir fathers — and may do it faithfully when 
3'ou and I have gone to our reward. But to prescribe a rule, 
suitable to all Posts alike, on that day, is a work indeed in which 
T should not dare to meddle. Each Post knows best its own 
people. It has perhaps studied the best method to carry it out. 
There I would leave, knowing all the circumstances. ]\Iake the 
day of all others sacred as the Christian Sabbath, so that a divine 



420 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

solemnity may rest upon us, and with a thankful heart for the 
preservation of our own lives, go forth to strew the graves of our 
beloved comrades with the fairest flowers of earth, and the recol- 
lection that you and I shall soon lie with them until the resurrection 
of the dead. 

Now, although I would not meddle with your method of duty 
on Memorial Day, I would suggest that we do everything in our 
power to discourage profanity. Did you ever happen to call at 
the office of the Assistant Adjutant-General, perhaps after coming 
some distance from the country to see him on special business 
belonging to your Post, — sometimes two or three of you together, 
— and find upon a card. Gone to such a place on business ; will be 
back tomorrow, or perhaps a day or two hence ? Do you recollect 
how pleasant it was ? Did you ever hear any words that grated 
harshly upon your ears? Don't you remember some rather tall 
swearing? Let me propose a remedy. The office of the Assistant 
Adjutant-General should never be closed during office hours. It 
is the property of the Posts in this Department, and you should 
always have access to it, if it be only for a moment's rest after 
ascending two flights of stairs. Now, in my opinion, there is a 
large amount of work that could be done outside the office for the 
various Posts, besides the immense work of inspection placed upon 
the Adjutant-General in the fall of the year. Now, the remedy: 
give him an assistant, a young man of intelligence who can 
transact business with you and be of some service to him and to 
us, when he shall be away from the office, allowing him to give 
even more time to the various Posts of this Department. 

Thus, Commander and Comrades, shall we be doing a good 
work, stopping this extra profanity, having the office always open 
to receive us when we call on business, and the Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 
devoting more time to the general interest in this Department. 

In conclusion. Commander and Comrades, I have to report 
that but little progress has been made in spiritual things during the 
past year. But the spiritual condition of the Department, of 
course, by virtue of his office, is committed to the Department 
chaplain ; and he, believing that man's will decides what he shall 
be, good or bad, unaided by the Holy Spirit, feels it right to pray 
that the Divine influence may rest upon each member of the Grand 
Army, so that he may be prosperous in all his relations of life, 
preserved from evil, rescued from danger, and saved in the hour 
of affliction and death. Two grand results have been achieved 
during the year, and that in answer to prayer. You, Commander, 
are here tonight : thank God for his preserving care over you. 
You have labored faithfully and done noble work for the Depart- 
ment during the year; but, sir, you might have been in another 
world but for the interposition of Divine Providence in answer 
to pi'ayer. Most of you comrades present, I presume, are 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 421 

acquainted with the fact that the Commander is a brave sailor, as 
well as a true and fiallant soldier; and j'ou may find him in the 
summer season in his beautiful yacht coasting in the bays and 
rivers of our and adjoining States. But one day near the early fall, 
while enjoying this great pleasure to the full, unexpectedly and 
in a moment a whirlwind came upon the craft. It was turned in 
an instant in an opposite direction. There was danger. All on 
board were fillod with fear and consternation. But (luick as 
thought the master hand of the Commander was upon the helm. 
The vessel turned its course; all hands were saved. And you, 
sir, are here tonight, I know, but in answer to prayer. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General : he is a grand man we all 
love ; but just think of his condition one year ago tonight. True, 
he had a lovely wife whom any man might have been proud to 
call his own. But they were childless and alone. We all pitied 
him. Just think of it ! all his real estate and personal property 
liable at their decease to go to minor relatives, unless in the 
generosity of his nature he had left it by will to found a soldiers' 
home for childless ones like himself. In this wretched condition 
God pitied him ; and in answer to prayer, faith, and some work, 
on a lovely morning, June 8, 1880, there was ushered into this 
world a lovely boy, Charles Raymond Meech. Long may he live 
to be a blessing to his parents in the full fruitage of life, and in 
the hour of their death receive from them their benediction, and so 
be a noble son of a noble sire. 

And you, Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
may Heaven's blessing rest upon you in life, in death, and then 
fore verm ore ! 

Yours in F., C, and L., 

JOHN W. LEE, 
Department Chaplain. 



KEPORT OF COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, Jan. 20, 1881. 
Commandpr and Cnmrados: 

Conformably to the provisions of the Rules and Regulations 
the Council of Administration respectfully submits the following 
as its report of the conduct and condition of the Department 
during the past oflicial year. The Council has lield but four regu- 
lar and four special meetings, no larger number having been 
required by its affairs ; the inspection dut}' called for from its 
members, also, as in former years, rendering it undesirable to 
impose any but imperative meetings. 



422 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

The Council has critically examined the accounts of the 
Assistant Quartermaster-General of the Department, and find 
them correct and exceedingly well kept. The total receipts for 
the year have been $4,13(3.15, the current expenses having been 
$4,035.08, as accounted for by vouchers duly approved by the 
Auditing Committee. 

a. The recommendation of the Council of last year in 
regard to the continuance of the present excellent system of in- 
spection is renewed, with added cordiality that another year of 
experience therein properly brings ; and it also renews with 
especial emphasis the recommendation that only comrades be 
elected to the executive offices of the Department whose past 
record therein and personal assurance give guaranty of their 
performance of the duties of the offices assigned to them. 

b. The (Jouncil especially recommend that this Convention 
instruct its delegates to the National Encampment to secure, if 
possible, the repeal of Sections 3 and 4, Article IV., Chapter V., 
of Rules and Regulations, and the insertion in place thereof a 
new section to read as follows : " If a comrade shall be one 
year in arrears in payment of his dues he may be dropped from 
the rolls," etc., with proper provisions for remission, reinstate- 
ment, etc. 

c. The following is also submitted as the recommendation 
of the Council upon the question of a State field encampment 
referred by the last Department Convention to its consideration. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General has corresponded with the 
Departments of New Jersey', Connecticut, New Hampshire, and 
personally visited the one at Gettysburg, Pa., as well as the two 
camps within our own State ; and from all information obtained, 
the expense attending the same has generally exceeded the receipts, 
leaving a deficit for some one to meet. 

A reunion of all the members of "our great association" at 
some central point would be full of interest to every Grand Army 
man ; but the ditiiculty that presents itself is, that judging from 
the attendance at Tyng's Island and Brant Rock, the percentage 
of Grand Army men would be small, and it would be an encamp- 
ment only in name. One serious objection would be the expense of 
camp equipage ; and the Council is of the opinion that no further 
action should be taken until we can be assured of the free use of 
grounds and tents belonging to the State. 

d. The constantly increasing labor, both in the office and 
in the necessary visiting of Posts throughout the Department, 
which has fallen upon the Assistant Adjutant-General, has at- 
tracted the attention of the Council, as indeed it cannot fail to 
have done that of the comrades, especially those having frequent 
business with Headquarters. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 423 

This Department being widely recognized as efficient and in 
some degree as an authority and guide, the amount of work 
exacted of the Assistant Adjutant-General in response to calls 
for information, etc., from outside our own Department, is most 
noticeable. It is agreed by all that this field work can be done 
to best advantage by no one so well as by the Assistant Adjutant- 
General. But if he attends to it — and it is vital to the interests 
of our Order — the work at Headquarters must suffer, unless such 
demands upon the time and health of the Assistant Adjutant- 
General are made as no one would wish to make. 

The Council coincides, therefore, fully and with emphasis, in 
the recommendation of Past Department Commander Adams, and 
of the Council last year, in recommending that provision for ad- 
ditional clerk hire at Headquarters be made, and recommend that 
the sum of $200 be paid to the Assistant Adjutant-General to 
secure such. 

The gain in the sum total of the relief funds of the Posts, at 
the same time that their disbursements have also increased, is a 
matter of much satisfaction ; and the general vigor of the Depart- 
ment is as grateful to the Council to note as for the comrades to 
know. 

Perhaps, with the exception of the small number of deaths 
and of appeals to the Judge Advocate's department occurring 
during the year, no matter commands the congratulations of the 
Council so warmly to all the comrades of the Department as the 
accomplished purchase of property, at great advantage, for a 
soldiers' home for this Department; and the promise of its future 
can hnrdly fail of the warmest interest in the heart of every com- 
rade of the Grand Army. 

The most cordial thanks of the Council it desires to express 
in full measure to the Assistant Adjutant-General, for the con- 
stant and ready aid he has so etflcieutly rendered its labors and 
its members. And it affords sincere pleasure to testify to the 
harmony and good fellowship which have at all times existed 
between the retiring Commander and his coadjutors and the 
Council in their otHcial and personal intercourse. That the labors 
of the Commander in behalf of the Department have been untiring 
and zealous as well as ctlicient, the personal esteem in which he 
is universally held and the good order of the Department better 
than any encomiums testify. The Council extends to him its 
most hearty wishes for long life, health, and happiness. 

That the Grand Army is held in higiier regard than ever, 
that the principles for which it stands grow hourly more secure, 
that its own power for usefulness and its own self-respect are 
growing greater, is, in the opinion of the Council, the best proof 
that its work of another year, now gone, has been well done, and 
the highest gain which it may announce and congratulate you upon. 



424 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, iu Fraternity, Charity, 
and Loyalty. 

AZEL AMES, Jr., 
JOHN F. BRUCE, 
JOHN SCATES, 
CHARLES A. STOTT, 
BENJ. A. BRIDGES, 
Cou nc il of Acbn i nistrat ion . 

The reports of the Department officers having all been pre- 
sented, on motion of Comrade George H. Patch of Post 142, it 
was voted. That the address of the Department Commander and 
the report of the Council of Administration be laid on the table, 
and the reports of the other officers be accepted and placed on file. 

Comrade John S. Fay of Post 43 moved. That a committee 
of nine be appointed by the Commander to nominate candidates 
for Council of Administration and delegates and alternates to 
National Encampment. An amendment w^as offered by Comrade 
J. P. Maxfield of Post 42, that two committees of nine each be 
appointed by the Commander, one committee to nominate candi- 
dates for Council of Administration, and the other committee to 
nominate delegates and alternates to National Encampment. 

The vote on the amendment being doubted, a count was had, 
seventy-nine voting in favor, and ninety-four against ; and the 
amendment was declared lost. 

The original question being called for, it was declared car- 
ried, and the Commander appointed the following committee: — 

John S. Fay of Post 43, C. F. Brayton of Post 7, John G. B. 
Adams of Post 5, O. F. Douglas of Post 46, George W. Creasey 
of Post 49, W. E. Henry of Post 19, p:verett E. Austin of Post 
34, Chauncy Morse of Post 70, J. B. Lamb of Post 10. 

Comrade Azel Ames, Jr., of the Council of Administration, 
moved, and it was voted. That the address of the Department 
Commander be taken from the table and referred to a committee 
of nine, to be appointed by the Commander, who shall consider 
the various recommendations and suggestions contained therein, 
and report as early as possible tomorrow. 

The Commander appointed the following committee : — 

Azel Ames, Jr., of Post 12, John D. Billings of Post 94, 
Charles D. Nash of Post 78, E. G. W. Cartwright of Post 47, 
George M. Fiske of Post 62, L. F. Currier of Post 122, John T. 
Wilson of Post 148, George H. Patch of Post 142, Jerry Looby 
of Post 74. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 425 

Comrade John I\rcDonough of Post 7 moved, That when this 
Encampment adjourn it be to meet at 10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow. 
Comrade A. N. Sampson of Post 113 moved an amendment, That 
the hour of meeting be 9 o'clock a.m. ; and the motion as amended 
was adopted. 

Comrade George W. Powers of Post lo announced that he was 
instructed by the Post he represented to offer the following : — 

Resolved^ That the delegates from Post 15 be instructed to present 
to the Department Convention a resohition that the delegates from this 
Department to the National Encampment bring before that body a motion 
to so amend the Ritual as to do away with all blindfolding in the mus- 
ter-in service. 

Comrade John D. Billings of Post 94 offered the folloAving : — 

Ecsolved, That the delegates from this Department to the next 
Nationa'l Encampment be instructed to secure such legislation as Avill 
leave it optional with Departments as to Avhat " tactics" they shall use. 

On motion of Comrade George S. Merrill of Post 39 it was 
voted that the foregoing resolutions be referred to the Committee 
on Commander's Address. 

Comrade John G. B. Adams of Post 5 moved. That the report 
of the Council of Adjninislration be taken from the table, and 
that the several recommendations contained therein be read and 
acted on separately. Carried. 

Comrade Azel Ames, Jr.,. of the Council read the recom- 
mendiitions (see report of the Council of Administration, para- 
graphs a, b, c, and d), and on motion of Comrade Adams each 
and all of the recommendations were adopted. 

At 9.45 P.M. the Encampment adjourned, to meet at the 
Meionaon at 9 a.m., Thursday, 27th inst. 

After adjournment, the officers of John A. Andrew Post 15, 
G.A.R., took possession of the hall and exemplified the work of 
the Order in a very satisfactory manner. 



Meionaon, Tremont Temple, 78 Tremont St. 

Boston, Jan. 27, 1<S81. 

Encampment assembled as per adjournment, and was called to 

order by Department Commander John A. Hawes ; but it was not 

until 9.30 a.m. that a sullicient number were present to proceed 

to business. 



426 EARLY HISTORY DEFT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Prayer was offered by Department Chaplain John W. Lee. 

Comrade George L. Goodale of Post 66 stated that he had 
been informed that neighboring Departments were in session ; 
and on his motion it was voted, That the Assistant Adjutant- 
General be instructed to send greeting by wire to the Departments 
of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Illinois. 

Reports of committees were next in order ; but as they were 
not prepared to report, on motion of Comrade E. W. Thompson 
of Post 42, it was voted to give them further time. 

Comrade Charles A. Stott of the Council offered the follow- 
ing, which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote : — 

Besolved, That the thanks of this Encampment are hereby tendered 
to the officers and comrades of John A. Andrew Post 15, G.A.R. , for 
the correct and effective manner in which they exemplified the work 
of the Grand Army of the Republic last evening at Faneuil Hall, and also to 
the comrades Avho have so cheerfully performed guard and orderly 
duty for this meeting. 

Comrade Charles B. Fox of Post 68, president of the Suf- 
folk County Grand Army of the Republic Association, addressed 
the Encampment, and in behalf of said association invited the dele- 
gates to a banfjuct at Faneuil Hall at 2 p.m. The invitation was 
accepted without a count. 

The next business being nomination of otiieers. Comrades 
Thomas H. Hill of Post 3,3, and George W. Creasey of Post 49, 
were nominated for Department Commander. 

The foregoing canditates were seconded and endorsed by 
Comrades Charles A. Stott and J. P. Maxfield of Post 42, Azel 
Ames, Jr., of Post 12 Charles E. Trow of Post 100, Henry W. 
Johnson of Post 134, John G. B. Adams of Post 5, George S. 
Merrill of Post 39, and others. 

The Assistant Adjutant-General reported for the Committee 
on Credentials as follows : — 

Whole number of Comrades entitled to seats 

in this Encampment, 311 

Number of Comrades present, 246 

Divided as follows : 

Department Officers, 11 

Past Department Commanders, .... 3 

Post Commanders, 77 

Delegates, 155 

246 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 427 

Comrade George IT. Patch of Post 142 moved, That we pro- 
ceed to the election of Department oflicers, and that the Com- 
mander appoint a committee of three to receive, sort, and connt 
ballots for all officers elected. A division of the question was 
called for, and it was voted that we proceed to the election of 
Department officers. 

Comrade Joseph H. Gleason of Post 77 offered as a substi- 
tute for the last part of Comrade Patch's resolution. That the 
Commander appoint two committees of three each : the first 
committee to collect votes for Department Commander, the second 
committee to collect votes for Senior Vice Department Com- 
mander, and so on, alternately. The substitution was adopted, 
and the following comrades were appointed : — 

First Committee : E. W. Thompson of Post 42, E. P. 
Simpson of Post 142, W. L. Coon of Post 12. 

Second Committee: J. H. Gleason of Post 77, J. O. Smith 
of Post 16, F. P. Works of Post 51. 

The next business being the election of Department Com- 
mander, a ballot was had and the committee retired. 

On motion of Comrade George L. Goodale of Post fifi, it 
was voted to defer voting for Senior Vice Department Commander 
until after the election of Department Commander. 

Nominations for Senior Vice Department Commander being 
in order, Comrade John D. Billings of Post 94 placed in nomi- 
nation C'Omrade Benjamin S. Lovell of Post 58, the present Junior 
Vice Department Commander. Remarks in reference to the 
election of the second officer of the Department were made by 
Comrade George W. Powers of Post 15, J. P. Maxfield of Post 
42, and others. 

The Department Commander read a letter from the secre- 
tary of a connnittee of the "■ Peirce Light Guard," Co. C, and the 
" Boston Light Lifantry," Co. K, First Regiment Infantry, Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Militia, regarding a fair to be held under 
their auspices in Boylston Hall, February 21 to 26, and inviting 
the co-operation of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

The committee on ballot for Department Commander, having 
concluded their count, reported as follows : — 



428 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Whole number of votes 239 

Necessary for a choice 120 

J. Frank Dalton 8 

Thomas H. Hill 86 

George W. Creasey 145 

239 

The Department Commander declared Comrade Creasey elected. 

The next business being the election of Senior Vice Depart- 
ment Commander, Comrade George L. Goodale of Post 66 moved, 
That the Assistant Adjutant-General deposit one ballot for Thomas 
H. Hill of Post 33, for Senior Vice Department Commander. Ob- 
jection being made, the motion was withdrawn. Comrade Goodale 
then nominated Comrade Thomas H. Hill of Post 33 for Senior 
Vice Department Commander. Comrade Hill declined to be a 
candidate, whereupon Comrade John D. Billings of Post 94 sub- 
mitted a motion that the Assistant Adjutant-General cast one 
ballot for Comrade Benjamin S. Lovell of Post 58, for Senior 
Vice Department Commander. Objection being made, the motion 
was withdrawn and a ballot ordered. 

After all had voted and the committee had retired, Comrade 
George H. Patch of Post 142 named for Junior Vice Department 
Commander Comrade Royal B. Wight of Post 63, Natick ; 
Comrade Azel Ames, Jr., of Post 12 nominated Comrade William 
L. Baird of Post 5. 

The Committee on Ballot for Senior Vice Department Com- 
mander reported as follows : — 

Whole number of ballots cast 200 

Necessary for a choice 101 

John H. Dalton, Post 23 1 

Theodore L. Kelly, "15 2 ' 

George W. Powers, "15 15 

Thomas H. Hill, "33 58 

Benjamin S. Lovell, "58 122 

198 

Comrade Lovell was declared elected. 

A ballot was at once ordered for Junior Vice Department 
Commander, and the committee reported the following result : — 

Whole number of votes cast 218 

Necessary for a choice 110 

Richard F. Tol)in had 3 

William L. Baird had ...... 93 

Royal B. Wight had ...... . 122 

218 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 



420 



The Department Commander declared Comrade Wight 
elected. 

Comrade John S. Fay of Post 43, chairman of the com- 
mittee to nominate candidates for the Conncil of Administration 
and delegates and alternates to National Encampment, announced 
that he was prepared to report for that committee. Unanimous 
consent being given, the following names were reported : — 

FOR COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 

John Scates Post 7, Boston. 

Charles A. Stott 
Benj. A. Bridges 
William A. Sloane 
William S. Frost 



Thomas II. Hill 

S. A. Barton . 
George S. Evans 
John F. Bruce . 
Azel Ames, Jr. 
Andrew C. Stone 
I\Iyrou P. Walker 
John K. Merrilt 
Henry B. Peirce 

George F. Moore 

J. K. Churchill 

Charles F. Read 

Charles I). Nash 

Freeman C. Luce 

C. W. C. Rhoades 

Henry B. Thayer 

George C. Joslin 

S. F.^McClearn 

Frank IMcGraw 
The report of the committee was accepted ; and there being 
no objection the Assistant Adjutant-General deposited the entire 
list as reported by the committee, and the comrades therein named 
were declared elected. 



. 


( t 


42, 


Lowell. 


It, 


6, 


Holliston. 


" 


37, 


Spencer. 


C i 


43, 


Marlboro, 


ALTERNATES 


rO NATIONAL ENC^ 


ME NT. 






Dele<jate-at-large 






. . . Post 


33, 


Wolturn. 


Delegates. 






. . . Post 


5, 


Lynn. 






30, 


Cambridgeport 






19, 


Fitchburg. 


, 




1-2, 


Wakefield. 






39, 


Lawrence. 






16, 


Springfield. 






118, 


Swampscott. 


. • 




73, 


Abington. 


iUernate-at-large 






. . . Post 


47, 


Haverhill. 


AUeriiates. 






. . . Post 


10, 


Worcester. 


. ' ' 


IK), 


Gardner. 




7.S, 


So. Abington. 




1, 


New Bedford. 


1 . . 


2G, 


Roxbury. 


• • " 


22, 


Milford. 




•> 

- ? 


So. Boston. 


. . " 


82, 


Marblehead. 




(( 


46, 


Fall River. 



430 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Comrade John W. Lee of Post 1 1 was unanimously re-elected 
Department Chaplain, by the Assistant Adjutant-General deposit- 
ing one ballot, as per motion of Comrade Henry W. Johnson of 
Post 134. 

The committee to whom was referred the address of the De- 
partment Commander announced that they were prepared to 
report, whereupon Comrade Azel Ames, Jr., submitted the 
following : — 

Encampment Dkpt. ok Mass., G.A.R., 
Boston, .Jan. 27, 1881. 

Commander : The committee to whom was referred the Command- 
er's address and the resolution ottered by Comrade Powers of Post 15, 
on behalf of tliat Post, respectfully submits tlie following as its report : — 

1. Upon tlie reference made l)y the Commander to his action in 
furtherance of tlie instructions of last year's Convention in petitioning 
the Legislature to mals;e Memorial Day a legal lioliday, your Committee 
think it advisable to suggest that to secure such action as is desired it 
would be of great advantage if the several Posts of the Department will 
individually join their petitions to that of the Commander; and they sub- 
mit, in furtherance of this idea, the accompanying resolve : — 

Brsoh-cd, That the Assistant Adjutant-General be instructed to pre- 
pare blanks of petitions to the Legislature in aid of the Commander's 
petition on Memorial Day, and forward the same to the Posts with the 
request that they should sign the same as numerously as possible, and 
return as speedily as may be to him for presentation to the General 
Court. 

2. Upon that portion of the Commander's address relating to the 
status of the Woman's Relief Corps, your Committee submits the follow- 
ing resolve, as the embodiment of its recommendation : — 

Eesolved, That the Department of Massachusetts, G.A.R., recognizes 
in the Woman's Relief Corps an invalua})le ally in its mission of Charity 
and Loyalty, and hails it as a noble band of Christian workers Avho, while 
not of the Grand Army of the Republic, are auxiliary to it. 

3. Upon that portion of the Commander's address relating to a uni- 
form for the Department, your Committee most earnestly endorses and 
emphasizes the recommendation of the Commander in this regard, and 
submits the following resolve : ■ — 

liesolved, That a committee of five, to which shall be joined the 
elective members of the Council of Administration, be appointed by the 
Commander, which shall take into consideration the Avliole subject of 
uniform for the Department, with instruction to report it at the next 
Department Convention. 

4. Your Committee embraces the opportunity to as earnestly as 
possible bespeak the attention of all past Post officers to the most excel- 
lent recommendations of the Department Commander in regard to the 
duty of such officers in using their utmost endeavors to promote, by their 
habitual presence and labors, the highest welfare of the organization. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 431 

Upon that portion of the Coramandor's address relatincc to printing the 
proceodiniis of the Department Convention, 3()ur ("oinnilttee snbniits the 
following: resolve : — 

Brsolrrd, That the Assistant Adjiitant-deneral be instructed to print 
500 copies of tlie Proceedinsrs of tlie Department Encam])ment, and dis- 
tribute them amoni^ the Tosts of the De])artnient pro rata upon their 
membership. 

5. Upon that portion of tlie Commander's address relatinsj: to the 
soldiers' home, your Committee earnestly bespeaks the most hearty and 
earnest co-operation of all the comrades of the Department, that this 
noble institution may become a successful earnest in our midst of our 
fidelity and fraternity. 

G. Upon that portion of the Commander's address suggestinnf the 
advisability of increasing the per capita tax, your Committee recommends 
the passage of the following resolve : — 

Ecfiolvcd, That the per capita tax of this Department })e increased to 
ten cents i)er (piarter, provided that the delegates cannot obtain a re- 
duction of one-half cent per capita per (piarter in the tax now paid to 
National IIead(inarters. 

Itesolved, That tlie Delegates of this Department to the National 
Encampment be instructed to use all proi)er means to secure the re- 
duction above named. 

7. Upon that portion of the Commander's address relating to the 
use of tactics, your Committee recommends the passage of the follow- 
ing resolve : — 

Brsiilrcd, That the Delegates to the National Encampment be in- 
structed to secure, if possible, such action as will permit option on the 
part of Departments as to the tactics they Avill employ. 

8. Upon the resolution of Post 15, bespeaking action by the Dele- 
gates of this Department to the National Encampment, your Committee 
reports that it considers action inadvisable. 

(Signed) Azkl Ames, Jr., 

John D. Billi.vgs, 
G. M. FiSKK, 

L F. ClTKlUEK, 

John T. Wilson, 
Gi:o. H. Patch, 

Committee. 

At the conclusion of the reading, on motion of Comrade E. 
AV. Thompson of Post 42, it was voted, That the report of the 
Committee be accepted, and the several recommendations be read 
and acted on separately. 

The first recommendation was amended, on motion of Com- 
rade Benjamin A. Bridges of Post 6, by the insertion of the follow- 
ing words : That the petition sliould be given to the representative 
of the district in which the ]*ost is situated, to be presented by 
him to the Legislature, and the Post to notify the Assistant Adju- 
tant-( Jeneral that they have done so, together with the number of 
names secured, so that it will read as follows : — 



432 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

Besolved, That the Assistant Adjutant-General be instructed to pre- 
pare blanks of petitions to the Legislature in aid of the Commander's 
petition on Memorial Day, and forAvard tlie same to the Posts, with the 
request that they Avill sign the same as numerously as possible; and that 
the petition should be given to the representative of the district in 
•\vhich the Post is situated, to be presented by him to the Legislature, 
and the Post to notify the Assistant Adjutant-General that they have done 
so, together with the number of names secured. 

The 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th recommendations were adopted. 

The Department Commander appointed the following special 
committee on uniforms, as provided in the third recommendation 
of the above report : — 

John D. Billings of Post 94, Canton; C. W. Hastings of 
Post 58, Weymouth; S. A. Barton of Post 5, Lynn; D. W. 
Lewis of Post 121, Hyde Park; W. W. Woodbury of Post 139, 
Somerville. 

The following resolution, submitted by Comrade George W. 
Powers of Post 15, was unanimously adopted : — 

Besolved, That the Commander of this Department be instructed to 
forward a memorial to the President and Congress of the United States, 
urging the immediate passage of such laws as shall be effectual in settling 
as speedily as possible the just claims of pensioners, and in preventing 
all fraudulent cUiims. 

A vote of thanks to all retiring Department officers was 
passed. 

Past Department Commander George S. Merrill installed the 
officers-elect who were present. 

There being no further business to transact, the Encampment 
adjourned at 1 o'clock p.m. 

JAMES F. MEECH, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 433 



GENERAL ORDERS. 
Series of 1880. 



., G.A.R.,1 

iooM ;^, V 

b. 4, 1880.) 



Headquakters Dept. ok Mass. 

53 Tkemont Street, Room 
General Orders) Boston, Feb. 

No. 1. / 

I. Having been elected and installed as Commander of this De- 
partment for the ensuing year, I hereby assnme the dnties of the oflice. 
Comrades : 

Your attention is called to the renewed interest manifested in our 
ranks, by the large increase of membershi]) the past year. Much remains 
to be done. Memories of the past should be kept green; our numbers 
enlarged; individual and earnest labor for the mustering-in of many 
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors, "who now are not with us, 
should be our effort; and I coutidently rely upon your aid that we may, 
in the Department, stand in the front as to numbers, as of old. In this 
connection I would recommend to each Post an immediate and systematic 
canvass of the city or town in which they are located, so that Ave may 
know hoAV many, and who, are eligible to membership in our order. 

II. The following comrades are announced as the Offlcial Stafl" 
of the Department Commander, and will be obeyed and respected accord- 
ingly : 

.lames F. Meech of Post 10, Worcester, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 
Edward T. Raymond of Post 10, Worcester, Asst. Q.M.-Gen. 
George W. Creasey of Post 40, Newburyport, Inspector. 
Giles H. Rich of Post 21), Roxbury, Judge Advocate. 
Alfred C Monroe of Post 13, Brockton, Chief Mustering Officer. 

III. All ofticial correspondence must be signed by Post Command- 
ers, and addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General (at 53 Tremont 
St., room -3), whose office hours Avill be as heretofore. 

IV. Instructions for Muster-in Service, together with new 
National Countersign, are herewith transmitted to all Posts in good 
standing that did not receive the same at the Department Encampment. 
After the countersign is read, the Key will be at once returned to 
these Headquarters. 

Bv order of 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
James F. Meech, Departmeut Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- General. 



r. OF Mass., G.A.R.,1 
r Street, Room 3, j- 
TON, March 10, 1880. J 



Headquarters Deft. 
No. 53 Tremont 
General Orders \ Bosto: 

No. 2. i 

I. A list of the ofllcers elected at the Annual Encampment of this 
Departmeut, held at Lynn, January 28 and 2U, api)ears in the roster ac- 

28 



434 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



companying this order. Two rosters are forwarded to each Post, one 
to be filed with General Orders, the other is for the use of the Post 
commander. 

II. The following comrades are appointed on the Staff of the 
Department Commander, and they will be obeyed and respected accord- 
ingly : — 

AIDES-DE-CAMP. 

Freeman C. Luce, New Bedford Augustus J. Hoitt, Lynn 

Charles F. Brayton, Boston E. D. Capron, Springlield 

Richard F. Tobin, Cambridgeport Charles J. Sadler, Salem 

William H. Hart, Chelsea William A. Sloane, Spencer 

Thomas E. Barker, Maiden Frank McGraw, Fall River 

D. Smith Kimball, Haverhill William A. Linehan, South Easton 
T. J. Ames, Leominster E. P. Morton, Webster 
Royal B Wight, Natick George L. Goodale, Medford 
A. H. Batchelor, Mlllbury E. T. Harvell, . Rockland 
John C. Bosworth, South Abington W. W. Montgomery, North Adams 
W. R. Howes, Hanover John D. Billings, Canton 
F. M. Harrington, Northboro John F. Ridley, Methuen 
James E. Pierce, Pepperell David W. Lewis, Hyde Park 

E. P. Gibbs, Athol James H. Wade, ' Revere 
Henry W. Johnson, Boston E. S. Horton, Attleboro 

III. By vote of the Council of Administration, — to whom the mat- 
ter Avas referred, — the question of printing the " Proceedings of the De- 
partment" for last year is hereby submitted to the Department. If three 
hundrefl (300) copies are ordered previous to April 1, they will be fur- 
nished at cost, viz. : twenty cents each. Requisition giving number of 
copies should be made on the inclosed card. 

IV. A blank bond for Post quartermasters is herewith forwarded 
to each Post in this Department. This bond Avas drawn by the Judge 
Advocate, and has been approved by the Council of Administration. A 
strict compliance with Section 1, Article VII., Chapter V., Rules and 
Regulations, Avill be re(iuired. 

V. The following Posts have surrendered their charters since 
January 1 : — 

C. C. Phillii)s Post 14, Woodville. 

E. M. Stanton "36, Amherst. 

Calvin Cutter "99, West Warren. 

N. B. Shurtleff, Jr " 125, South Boston. 

VI. A new Post has been organized in South Boston, to be known 
as Post 2, G.A.R., George A. Thayer, Commander. 

By command of 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjtitant-General . 



Headquarters Dept. ov Mass., G.A.R , 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, March 25, 1880. 

No. 3. r 

I. General Orders No. 7, from National Headquarters, are hereAvith 
promulgated to this Department. 

II. Special attention is called to the circular inclosed, regarding 
the death of William M. Cooper, Esq., the founder of the " Cooper Shop 
Volunteer Refreshment Saloon," in Philadelphia, during the war of the 
Rebellion. 



FIKTKENTH ANNUAL ENCAMI'MENT. 435 



Endorsing the proposed action in its fullest sense, it is earnestly 
desired that the most hearty and prompt action ho taken by the Posts of 
this Department. Contributions should be forwarded to John Taylor, 
Asst. Q.M. -Gen., Department of Pennsylvania, G. A. R., No. 218 Walnut 
Street, Philadelphia, Pa. A report of amount forwarded will be made to 
these Head(|uarters -without delay. 

III. Post No. 2 of this Department, having adopted the name of 
" Dahlgren," the same is hereby approved. 

IV. Commanders of Posts should have a perfect understanding 
with their adjutants and (luartermasters regarding their reports, 
which are due on tlie ^first daijx of the (piarter. It is expected tliat a 
supply of Forms A and B will i)e received from National Headquarters in 
time to be forwarded to Posts prior to the 31st instant. 

V. In view of the fact that the " thirtieth day of May" occurs on 
Sunday this year, and in compliance with Article XIV., Chapter V., 
Rules and Regulations, Saturday, May 20, will be observed as Memorial 
Day by the Posts of this Department. 

Bv command of 

JOHN A. IIAWES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Headquakters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 TuEiMONT Stkekt, Room 3, 
General Orders "i April 30, 18M0. 

No. 4. J 

Agreeable to the provisions of Article XIV. of Chapter V., Rules 
and Regulations, and to General Orders No. 8, C.S., from National Head- 
quarters, Saturday, May 29, will this year be observed as Memorial Day. 
The day will remind us that we are gradually api>roaching our last 
camping ground, there to join those of our former comrades Avho now 
" sleep the sleep that knows no waking," and over whose remains Ave are 
to place tokens of our remembrance. 
Day by day 

" Out hearts, like mutHed dnuns, are beating 
Funeral marches to the grave" ; 

and as the days of our earthly pilgrimage shorten, so does the sunshine 
of our companionship decrease. On this, the appointed day, with full 
ranks and hearts lilled Avith memories of the past, let us fullil our sacred 
obligations, and Avith loving hands on the graves or memorial tablets, 
place our offerings to the memory of our comrades Avho " have gone on 
before " 

Post commanders Avill, through their committees, recjuest the clergy 
of all denominations to hold appropriate services in their churches on 
Sunday, Mav 30, irrespective of any arrangements made l)y local Posts. 

Post commanders are re<|uested to forAvard to the Assistant Adju- 
tant-General as full reports relative to the observance of the day in their 
several localities or vicinity as is possible. 

Special attention is called to the enclosed " Ilymn for Decoration 
D.ay, 1880," dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic by theChaplain- 
in-Chief, Rev. J. F. Lovering. 

By command of 

JOHN A. IIAWES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



436 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., 6.A.U. 



P Mass., G.A.R., 1 

REET, KOOM 3, [■ 

)N, May U, 1880. j 



Headquarters Deft, op Mass., G.A.R. 
53 TuEMONT Street, 
General Orders) Boston, 

No. 5. / 

I. Posts or comrades who desire copies of the "Proceedings" of 
this Department " for 1879," should forward tlieir orders at once, as per 
General Orders No. 2, from these Headquarters. They -will be printed 
oidy on the conditions named tlierein, excepting that the time for the 
reception of subscriptions is extended to June 1. 

II. The inspection of the Posts in this Department will be con- 
ducted by the Department officers the same as last year ; and in order 
that all books and papers of the adjutant and quartermaster, as Avell as 
the records and accounts of relief committees and trustees, may be 
presented at the inspections, snlHcient notice Avill be given to Post com- 
manders of the official visit. 

III. A supply of badges has been received, and any that may be 
wanted for Memorial Day must be ordered on or before the 20th inst. 
In ordering them specify whether the rcrfular badge is wanted, or those 
with wide loops for officers, as the latter are furnished Mith blue ribbon 
at the same price. Attention is called to the foUoAving extract from 
General Orders No. 4, series of 1877, from these Headquarters : — 

.... "Badges must be paid for when they are ordered. There- 
fore, all Posts that have* ordered Badges should forward funds to pay 
for the same immediately ; and all future orders must be accompanied 
by the money. Otherwise they will be tilled by express C.O.D. The 
price of badges to Posts will be 75 cents each, with six cents additional 
if sent by mail." 

By command of 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
James F. Meecii, ' Department Commander. 

Assista nt Adjuta nt- (tC neral. 



i80. ) 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. , 
No. 53 Tremont Street, Koo.m 3, 
Circular) Boston, June 7, 1880. 

No. 1. I 

a. It is with much pleasure and pride that I congratulate and 
thank the several Posts in the Department for the faithful and loving 
duty by them so well performed on " Decoration Day." As reports of 
the very general observance, and sympathy manifested by friends, are 
communicated to me, 1 feel that, as the years roll by, our organization 
the more commends itself to public aid and encouragement, and enjoins 
upon us renewed energy, that all who " wore the blue" should be with 
us in enthusiastic fellowship. 

b. All Post commanders who have not complied Avith Paragraph 
IV., General Orders No. 4, from these Headquarters, relative to a report 
of the observance of " Memorial Day," should do so at once, as such 
reports are desired to perfect the records of this Department. 

Fraternally yours, 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
Department Commander. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 437 



Headqiiartkrs Dept. of Mass., (i.A.R., 
53 Tkkmoxt Stimcet, Room 3, 
General Orders \ Boston, Aug. 3, 1880. 

No. 6. i 

T. General Orders Nos. 3 and 4, together with "corrected copy 
for filing" of No. 1, from National Headqnarters, are herewith forwarded 
to this Department. 

II. As a snlflcient number of copies of Proceedings of this De- 
partment for 187!) were not subscribed for, they Avill not be printed. 
Posts that forwarded money with their subscriptions may have the same 
returned, or it will be placed to their credit, as they may designate. 

III. An invitation has been extended to the Posts of Suffolk 
County to represent this Department in the parade, on the occasion of 
the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Boston, on 
September 17 next; but Posts outside the county will be welcomed and 
will be assigned a position in line, provided, hnirpver, that notice of such 
intention (with probable number of men, and what music if any") Is 
given to these Headquarters on or before September 10. 

Bv command of 

JOHN A. HA WES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General . 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R., 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
Special Circular. Boston, July 30, 1880. 

An invitation having been extended to this Department to parade 
on the occasion of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anni- 
versary of the settlement of Boston, on the 17th day of September next, 
the Department Commander, after careful consideration, has deemed it 
advisable not to order out the Department; but believing that our organi- 
zation should be represented at that time, an invitation is hereby ex- 
tended to the Posts of Sufiblk County to represent the Department on 
that occasion. 

The Commander feels assured that the high standing and interest 
of the Department will be fully maintained by intrusting to the com- 
rades of Suftblk County this important dutv. 

JOHN A. IIAWES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-Ceneral. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass. 



, G.A.R.,1 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, >- 
28, 1880. J 



General Orders \ Boston, Sept 

No. 7. j 

I. In accordance with Paragraph II., General Orders No. 5, from 
these Head(|uarters, the following Department officers have been detailed 
to inspect the Posts whose numbers appear against their names : — 

Senior Vice Department Commander Thomas II. Hill, 7, 42, 113, 
118, 134, 139, 148, 149. 

Junior Vice Department Commander Benj. S. Lovell, 1, 3, 8, 13, 31, 
73, 78, 104, 121. 



438 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



Council of Administration : Azel Ames, Jr., 4, 35, 40, 50, 66, 75, 90. 
Jolin F. Bruce, 9, 10, 28, 53, 54, 59, 64, 

69, 86, 98, 109, 116. 
John Scates, 11, 15, 23, 26, 32, -143. 
Charles A. Stott, 12, 33, 39, 48, 100, 

115, 119. 
Benj. A. Bridges, 18, 22, 43, 44, 63, 96, 
117, 142. 
Inspector Georsje W. Creasey, 2, 5, 34, 45, 47, 58, 67, 82, 87, 89, 95, 

101, 108, 114, 122, 151. 

Judge Advocate Giles H. Rich, 29, 30, 56, 57, 62, 68, 81, 92, 94, 

102, 144. 

Chief Mustering Officer A. C. Monroe, 46, 52, 55, 72, 74, 76, 83, 88, 
91, 110, 111, 112, 124^127, 146. 

Assistant Adjutant-General Meech, 6, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 37, 
38, 41, 49, 51, 61, 65, 70, 71, 77, 79, 84, 85, 93, 97, 103, 123, 126, 131, 135, 
136, 145. 

It is expected that all Department officers, including aides-de- 
camp, Avill co-operate Avith and assist the above officers in their inspec- 
tions when practicable. 

As it is important that the inspections should be concluded on or 
before December 1, it may be necessary in some instances to call special 
meetings of l*osts ; therefore, commanders of Posts will govern them- 
selves accordingly. 

The traveling expenses of the officers will be borne by the Depart- 
ment, but all local expenses Avill be paid }jy the Post visited. At eacli in- 
spection the complete ceremony will be shown, including muster-in, and 
all books and papers of the Post, including records of the relief com- 
mittee or trustees, must be presented for inspection. A statement of 
amount expended for relief for the year ending September 30 will be 
required. 

Inspectors Avill insist upon a strict compliance with Section 1, 
Article VII., Chapter V., General Rules, Rules and Regulations, a blank 
Jimid having been furnished each Post in the Department, to secure 
uniformity. 

Officers of Posts will bear in mind that the reports for quarter 
ending September 30 determine the representation in next Department 
Encampment. In this connection attention is also called to the necessity 
of forwarding reports promptly on the Jiri^t of the quarter, as less time 
is given for consolidation by National Headquarters than formerly. 

By command of 

JOHN A. HA WES, 
James E. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



:;.S0. J 



HeADQI AltTKUS Dept. OF Mass., G.A.R. 
r.;i Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders"! Boston, Nov. 26, I8.s0. 

No. 8. f 

I. General Orders Nos. 9 and 10 from National Headquarters are 
herewith promulgated. Special attention is called to Paragraphs I. and 
III., G.O. No. 10, inclosed. Posts or comrades desiring the Manual 
should order of these Headquarters at once, that a supply may be 
obtained. The price will be fifteen cents each. Badges that may be 
wanted within the next two (2) months should be ordered immediately. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT. 439 



II. Blanks of Form F, on -which the annual snrg:eon's report is to 
be made, are herewith inclosed. This report ninst accompany the adjn- 
tant's and (luartermaster's reports for fourtli quarter, 18S(). Only those 
wounded comrades are to he reported who were omitted last year, and 
those who have been admitted this year. A copy of this report must be 
retained in the Medical Descriptive Book of the Post. In case a Post 
has no wounded comrades to report, the Blank F will be returned to 
these Head(|narters so endorsed. 

III. Posts must bear in mind that t\\Q first meeting in December is 
the time appointed for the election of Post officers and representatives 
to tiie Department Encampment. A blank is herewith inclosed on which 
Posts are to mai<e the return of election of Post commander and delegates 
and alternates. Be sure to give name and post-office address of new 
Post commander on this blank. The number of delegates to which each 
Post is entitled shall be determined by the number of comrades reported 
in good standing on reports for quarter ending September 30. The 
basis of representation remains as heretofore. 

IV. The order announcing mustering officers will be issued early 
in December, and the Chief will be governed by the wishes of Posts in 
their selection when i)ractica})le. Recommendations must be forwarded 
on or before December 20. And in no case will an assignment be made 
unless the Post or its representative so designates. 

By command of 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
James F. Meech, Department Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant- ( re neral. 



J.A.R.,1 

>M 3. \ 

•, 1880. J 



Headquarters Dkpt. of Mass., G.A.R. 
No. 53 Tremont Street, Room 
General Orders) Boston, Dec. 

No. 9. ; 

I. The following-named comrades are hereby detailed as Mustering 
Officers, and wnll install the officers of the Posts whose numbers appear 
against their names : — 

William C. Davis, New Bedford ... 1 

John G. B. Adams, Lynn 4, 12 

Geo. L. Sanborn, HoUiston .... G 

Henry N. Fisher, Waltham .... 29 

Benjamin Brown, Scituate Centre . . 31 

William H. Hart, Chelsea 35 

Fitz J. Babson, Gloucester .... 45 
Geo. S. Evans, Cambridgeport . . . .53, 56, 139 

Lucius Field, Clinton 64 

Charles F. Allen, S. Abington .... 73 

W. A. Sloane, Spencer 77 

J. Frank Dalton, Salem 82 

Malcom Sillars, Danvers 90 

John F. Ridley, Methuen 100 

C. O. Noyes, Georgetown 108 

Edwin Earp, Lynn 118 

Charles H. Orchard, Taunton 
George H. Patch, S. Framingham 
George R. Kelso, Charlestown . 
Richard F. Tobin, Cambridgeport 
John W. Hart, Salem 



3 
5 

II 
30, 57 



34 



440 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OK MASS., G.A.R. 

E. r. Gibbs, Hudson ...... 43 

John W. Barnard, Danvers .... 50 

A. A. Burrell, Milford G3 

A. M. Parker, Worcester 70 

Charles H. Leonard, Plymouth .... 7G 

Peter Snyder, N. Adams ..... 79 

William K. Driver, Beverly .... 8'.) 

John R. Merritt, Swampscott .... 95 

S. B. Spooner, Springfield 103 

H, A. Oakman, S. Scituate . . . . Ill 

Dudley E. Gale, Amesbury .... 122 

Senior Vice Department Commander Thomas H. Hill Avill install 
the officers of Posts 75 and 1-19. 

Chief Mustering Officer A. C. Monroe Mill install the officers of 
Posts 52 and 72. 

ir. Post commanders will at once put tliemselves In communica- 
tion with their mustering officers, giving time and place of installation. 
In case of the absence of the comrade designated above for any Post, and 
where no comrade has been assigned, a.ny past Post commander in good 
standing (except the retiring Commander) may act. In no case will 
the officers of any Post be installed until nil reports and dues have been 
forwarded. See page 7 of the Service Book. 

By command of 

JOHN A. HAWES, 
Alfred C. Monroe, Department Commander. 

Chief Mustering Officer. 
James F. Meech, 

Assistant Adjtttant-General. 



Headquarters Dept. of Mass., G.A.R. 
53 Tremont Street, Room 3, 
General Orders! Boston, Jan. U, 1881. 

No. 10. i 

I. The Annual Encampment of this Department Avill be convened 
in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on Wednesday, Jan. 2(i, 1881, at 7 o'clock p.m., 
for the election of Department officers and the transaction of such other 
business as may come before it. Posts are entitled to the following ratio 
of representation : One delegate for every fifty members reported in 
good standing September 30, with one additional for a final fraction of 
more than half that number; but each Post, whatever it numbers, shall 
be entitled to at least one delegate. Post commanders are members of 
the Encampment by virtue of their office. 

II. An invitation having been extended to the officers of Post 15 
to exemplify the work of the Order in the presence of the Encan)]mient, 
and the same having been accepted, it is desired that ever;/ Post in the 
Department should be represented at this meeting, not only for the pur- 
pose of witnessing the muster-in service, but to take part in the general 
business of the Convention, Avhich promises to be of more than usual 
interest. The Commander of Post 15 M'ill detail an officer of the day, an 
officer of the guard, and at least fifteen (15) comrades for guard and 
other duty during the Encampment. The officer of the day will report 
to the Assistant Adjutant-General at Faneuil Hall at G.30 p.m. on the 
26th, for instructions. 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMl'MENT. 441 



III. Section 1, Article II., Chapter V., Rales and Regulations, 
provides that Post Commanders shall forward at the close of each 
quarter, with the (juarterly returns, the names of any members of his 
Post in good sttiiuUnr/, who have held the position of Commander-in-Chief, 
Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief of 
the National Encampment, or of Department Commander, and a list of 
the names of rejected applicants for the (piarter. 

IV. In accordance with the requirements of the Manual, and 
Section 1, Article VII , Chapter V., Rules and Rejinlations, a blank bond 
for Post Quartermaster is herewith forwarded to each Post in this De- 
partment. 

V. Commanders of Posts that have not been supplied with the 
new ritual Avill be furnished with the same at any time upon return of 
the old ritual to these Headciuarters. This should be done at or before 
the Department meeting. 

By command of 

JOHX A. HA WES, 
James F. Meech, Depart me nt Commander. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Post No. i 
EARLY MEMORIAL SERVICES 

IN HONOR OF THE DEAD. 



Extract from the records of Post No. 1, June 18, 18fi7 : — 

Voted, That we turn out on the Fourth of July and visit the 
Soldiers' Monument on the Common. A committee consisting of 
Comrades Gilman, Ingraham and Coleman was appointed to make 
the necessary arrangements. 

June 25, 1867, the Committee of Arrangements reported. 

Extract from New Bedford Evenwrj Stamlanl of July 5, 

1867: — 

" At half past nine the members of the New Bedford Post 
of the Grand Army of the Kepublic formed in procession in front 
of their Headquarters on Purchase Street, near William, and 
marched to the Common to pay respect to the deceased soldiers 
and sailors of the war, at the monument erected in their honor. 
Music was furnished by the New Bedford Brass Band, which was 
headed by the imposing figure of Drum-Major Vaughn. The 
comrades of the Grand Army wore black crape at their elbows 
and were commanded by Lieut.-Col. *James Barton, Vice Com- 
mander of the Post. The color-bearer and the color-guard were 
men who had lost an arm in the service : Edward T. Chapman, 
Josiah AVood and John Kincaid ; and three disabled comrades, 
Thomas E. Ward, Nathaniel A. Booth and Samuel Johnson, rode 
in a carriage. The procession moved through Purchase, Maxfield, 
Pleasant, Willis and State streets to the Common ; and the otlicers 
being seated on a platform near the monument, and the procession 
being drawn up between the platform and the monument, which 
was "adorned with flowers and bouquets, prayer was otTered by 
Rev. T. C. Moulton, and Rev. A. H. Quint, D.D., delivered the 



• Senior Vice-Commander. 



444 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

following beautiful and pertinent address, which was received 
with evident feeling and frequent applause: — 

" ' Comrades, not many words are needed now. Not because 
the road hither was dusty — we have been on dusty roads before. 
Not because the sun is hot upon our heads — we have been in the 
hot sun before. But because our errand today is its own explana- 
tion. With no pomp or glitter, in no spirit of display, we come 
to the stone which piously commemorates our dead comrades. 
We hear some of that favorite music which pioneered the march 
of Sherman to the sea. [The N. B. Brass Band was the band of 
the 33d Mass. Regt.] 

" 'We are led by the flag Avhich every patriot honors and 
before whose rustle we bow in reverence. So simply, and with 
the feeling with which one goes to the grave of friends, we come 
here this morning. 

" ' We cannot go to their graves. They sleep under the salt 
sea. They sleep at Alexandria and Manassas ; at Antietam and 
Gettysburg ; at Chancellorsville and by the Rappahannock ; at 
Cold Harbor and Petersburg ; at Newberne, at Whitehall and at 
Morris Island ; at Olustee, at Dallas, at Drewry's Bluff and Port 
Hudson; and in the nameless graves' by the roadside, where the 
weary men laid down and died. This stone groups them all 
together, and allows us to honor, all in one, the heroic dead. 

" 'We meet to remember. When the guns waked us this 
morning they wove their voices into our dreams. Half awake we 
heard the hoarse orders and were falling in. But in a brief mo- 
ment, wakeful, we missed the sharp ring of the shotted gun, the 
spiteful leap of the iron from the cannon's throat, the rattle of the 
skirmishers. It was peace, not war. Six years ago today you 
were mastering in front of Washington. Five years ago today 
you were lying at Malvern Hill. Four years ago this morning you 
were burying the dead of mighty Gettysburg, while a thousand 
miles away Grant was receiving the surrender of Vicksburg. 
Three years ago today, in the West, tlie rebels were falling back 
out of Kenesaw before Sherman's victorious legions, while in the 
East Grant was holding the enemy in a death-grapple at Peters- 
burg. Two years ago to-day and the noise of war was hushed, 
and they determined to build this monument, of which one year 
ago today they laid the corner-stone ; and perhaps one year on- 



EARLY MEMORIAL SERVICES. 445 

ward from today we shall find the work finished. And under the 
green sward lie our comrades. They sleep. 

" 'Today the comparative silence is not hard to us. Our 
thoughts are busy with the dead scenes and the dead soldiers. 
The old Fourth of July ! It has been superseded. Not that we 
respect less, but :dl the more, the gallant deeds of our grandsires ; 
for we have learned, on many a march and in many a battle, what 
they did and at what cost they made this nation free. But now, 
what is England to us? What is its former tyranny, now that that 
proud realm fawns on the dread power of the great Republic? 
The nation's life has had a new salvation. You helped to save it. 
You of those who have made history — to you, what would be the 
old Fourth of July orations? It might be well that municipal 
authority should, for the sake of loyal reverence to the nation's 
birthday, celebrate it. But what would be the fireworks of an 
evening to tiiose who have seen a thousand "camp-fires in the 
evening dews and damps," the blaze of guns, and the smoke 
which canopied the field ? AVhat is the noise of balls and of little 
powder toys to men who have been in the roar of half a thousand 
cannon and two hundred thousand muskets, or in the ships which 
fought the mighty works ? What is the cheering of the people to 
men who have heard the yell of charging lines? We care for no 
processions when we remember the long marches of long columns 
bound on a magnificent and deadly errand. 

" ' For I see before me the men of history. I see you who 
were in Burnside's work on the islands ; who were in the bay when 
the Cumberland went down ; who were in the Peninsula marches 
and battles ; who were where McClellan hurled back Lee from 
Maryland soil ; who were where the Swamp Angel threw death 
into haughty Charleston ; who were in front of the bloody heights 
of St. Mary's ; who were in the burning woods of Chancellors- 
ville; who held Cemetery Hill against the enemy's choicest 
legions; who were on the long road from the Wilderness to 
Petersburg ; who were in Sherman's hard struggle from Chatta- 
nooga to Atlanta, and in his magnificent march to the ocean ; 
who'were in the trenches of Port Hudson, and up the Red River; 
who sailed with Farragut and conquered. 

" ' I see, too, and you see, the shades of the departed. They 
were there when you were. We see them in tlie lines. We see 
them on the march. We remember. 



446 EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 

" ' We remember now the scenes of the past. They are gone. 
But it is well for iis to recall them now and then. They were 
times that tried men's souls. By this stone they are summoned 
up. The citizen's dress does not erase the recollections ; and 
now that we have gone back like good citizens to peaceful life, 
we will live as men who have been baptized in a sacred cause. 

" ' We remember the work then done at home. We honor the 
patriot men who, unable to shoulder the musket, gave money, 
time, labor and their own sons to the cause of their country. 
We honor the men who nerved the popular heart and stood true 
to the soldiers and the cause. We honor the noble women who 
worked and prayed and wept — whose tears blessed the helps they 
sent and whose brave hearts enshrined their country's cause ; who 
gave husbands, brothers, sons, and gave them heroically. Alas ! 
now and here we know that they waited long for the men who 
should never come home again. 

" 'We remember, too, that men failed in that crisis. Das- 
tardly men, at home, who held back and thi'ew every obstacle 
they dared in the way of the soldiers, and multiplied the graves 
and the tears. Deeply they sinned — beyond forgiveness until 
they repent deeply; and when repentant, and therefore forgiven, 
yet, having failed in the great agony of the nation, beyond trust 
forever. 

" ' AVe remember the great principles for which the dead 
fought. It was a great work which they did and in which we 
were. Those principles of eternal justice, of equality, of honor, 
and of national life, for which was the strife, and which reared 
this stone, they are ours today and forever will we be true. 

' ' ' We remember the honor of our flag. Let it wave trium- 
phant. Color-bearer, you have one arm left yet — raise your 
colors ! Let no hand dare pluck at its folds. Let none touch it 
profanely or lightly ! Next to the cross it is our symbol ; and 
though we need not do it, yet here by the memorial of the dead, 
we who have banded again together for this do renew our alle- 
giance to these Stars and Stripes. 

" ' Well is it, Comrades, on this national birthday, to come 
here. Well for the citizens to come ; but for us it is a pious duty. 
Place the flowers upon the stone. Spirits of the departed ! You 
who helped purchase with your blood our country's life — never 



EARLY MEMORIAL SERVICES. 447 

shall you^be forgotten while a comrade lives to recall the story of 
j'our deeds. Never, while America is a nation, will your work 
pass from memory. 

" ' Therefore, let us year by j'ear come here to receive a new 
benediction of patriotism. Let us every year bring hither the 
flag and form the line by this symbolic stone. Fewer and fewer 
shall we be as the fleeting years pass by, but let the shortening 
line be formed ; and at last when but one man remains, let him 
bring his weary feet here and sit down by this stone in the 
morning sunlight and uncover his grey hairs, and let the cliildren 
and the men of that day, as they see his feeble frame, know thai 
the last of this town's patriot soldiery in the great war never 
ceased to remember his dead comrades and never faltered in his 
love for the old flag which he had followed when his limbs were 
strong and his step was firm.' 

"After the address Rev. I. H. Coe offered prayer, and the 
procession was again put in motion, and with heads uncovered 
marched round the monument to slow music, and then returned to 
Headquarters by nearly the same route that they went to the 
Common. This was an impressive portion of the day's pro- 
ceedings, and seven thousand people went to the Common to wit- 
ness it. Gen. Timothy Ingraham acted as Officer of the Day and 
introduced those who took part in the exercises." 



ROSTER OF POSTS. 

FUOM THE OkGAXIZATIOX of the DKr.VRTMENT TO Jax. 1, 1895. 



This compilation presents as full a list of all Posts chartered in the 
Department as can be obtained from the incomplete records at head- 
quarters, supplemented with personal invcsti.i::ation and correspondence. 
It will be observed that in some instances the numerical and chronological 
orders of Posts do not seem to agree ; but this appears to be due to 
varying methods of assigning numbers to Posts. 



Ko. 


Location. 


1 


New Bedford, 


2 


Nantucket, 


2 


So. Boston, 


3 


Taunton, 


4 


Melrose, 


5 


Lynn, 


6 


Holliston, 


7 


Boston, 


8 


Middleboro, 


9 


Hudson, 


10 


Worcester, 


11 


Charlestown, 


12 


Wakefield, 


i:! 


Brockton, 


14 


Woodville, 


14 


Hopkinton, 


15 


Boston, 


IG 


Springfield, 


17 


Orange, 


18 


Ashland, 


19 


Fitchburg, 


20 


Paxton, 


20 


Blackstone, 


20 


Colrain, 


21 


AVestboro, 


21 


Needham, 


21 


Boston, 


22 


IMilford, 


23 


East Boston, 


24 


Grafton, 


25 


Uxbridge, 


2G 


Roxbury, 


27 


Oxford. 


27 


Oxford, 


28 


W. Boylston, 


29 


Waltham, 


30 


Cambridgeport, 


31 


Ashburuham, 


31 


Scituate, 


32 


So. Boston, 


33 


Woburn, 



Chartered. 
Oct. 4, 1866. 
Nov. 28, 1866, 
Feb. 26, 1880. 
Jan. 2, 1867. 
Feb. 19, 1867. 
Feb. 27, 1867. 
March 8, 1867. 
March 11, 1867. 
March 13, 1867. 
May 27, 1867. 
April 13, 1867. 
April 23, 1867. 
Aug. 16, 1867. 
July 1, 1867. 
July 3, 1867, 
July 21, 1882. 
Aug. 6, 1867. 
Aug. 9, 1867. 
Aug. 9, 1867. 
Aug. 12, 1867. 
Aug. 16, 1867. 
Aug. or Sept., 1867, 
July 26, 1871, 
March 4, 1875. 
Aug. or Sept., 1867, 
— - — 1871, 
Feb. 22, 1881. 
Sept. 19, 1867. 
Sept. 17, 1867, 
Sept. 25, 1867. 
Sept. 30, 1867. 
Oct. 1, 1867. 
Oct. 15, 1867. 
Nov. 14, 1870. 
Oct. 12, 1867. 
Oct. 21, 1867. 
Oct. 23, 1867. 
Nov. 4, 1867. 
July 15, 1875. 
Nov. 6, 1867. 
Nov. 6, 1867. 



Surrendered Charter. 



Jan. 26, 1874.* 



Jan. 1, 1880. 



1871. 



Dec. 28, 1874. 



1871. 
1875. 



Nov. 



1869. 



1874. 



* Charter annulled. 



450 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., O.A.R. 



No. Location. 

34 Salem, 

35 Chelsea, 

36 Amherst, 

36 Arlington, 

37 Spencer, 

38 Brook field, 

39 Lawrence. 

40 No. Weymouth, 

40 Maiden, 

41 Westfleld, 

42 Lowell, 

43 Marlljoro, 

44 Northampton, 

44 Fayville (Southboro), 

45 Gloucester, 

46 Fall Uiver, 

47 Haverhill, 

48 Ayer, 

49 Newburyport, 

50 Barre, 

50 Townsend, 

50 Peabody, 

51 No. Brookfleld, 

52 So. Easton, 

53 Leominster, 

54 Berlin, 

55 Southl)ridge, 
55 Taunton, 

55 Provincetown, 

56 Cambridge, 

57 E. Cambridge, 

58 Weymouth, 

59 Sterling, 

60 Whitinsville, 

60 Franklin, 

61 Webster, 

62 Newton, 

63 Natick, 

64 Clinton, 

65 Warren, 

66 Medford, 

67 Manchester, 

68 Dorchester, 

69 Westminster, 

70 Franklin, 

70 Millbury, 

71 Holyoke, 

72 Stoughton, 

73 Abington, 

74 Rockland, 

75 Stoneham, 

76 Plymouth, 

77 Holden, 

78 S. Abington, Whitman, 



Jan. 
Oct. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
May 
Jan. 
Jiin. 



Feb. 
Feb. 



Chartered. 

Nov. 15, 1867. 

Nov. 16, 1867. 

Feb. 1, 1879. t 

May 26, 1881. 

Nov. 20. 1867. 

Nov. 27, 1867. 

Dec. 10, 1867. 

1, 1868, 

1, 1873. 

9, 1868. 

15, 1868. 

15, 186S. 
22, 1868, 
17, 1878. 

21, 1868. 

22, 1868. 
Jan. 28, 1868. 
Jan. 18, 1868. 

17, 1868. 

17, 1868, 
June 27, 1871, 
April 28, 1879. 
Feb. 28, 1868. 
Feb. 29, 1868. 
June 13, 1868. 
June 2, 1868. 
June — , 1868, 
Feb. 5, 1872, 
Sept. 23, 1884. 
June 26, 1868. 
June 29, 18G8. 
July 2, 1868. 
3, 1868. 

14, 1868, 

16, 1881. 
July 21, 1868. 
July 21, 1868. 

23, 1868. 

17, 1868. 
21, 1868 

Aug. 21, 1868. 
Sept. 29, 1868. 
Oct. 8, 1868. 
Nov. 9, 186S. 
Nov. 23, 1868, 
Aug. 3, 1876. 
Nov. 25, 1868. 
Nov. 13, 1868. 
Nov. 23, 1868. 
Jan. 11, 1869. 

15, 1869. 
19, 1869. 
19, 1869. 
30, 1869. 



July 
July 
May 



July 

Aug. 
Aug. 



Surrendered Charter. 



Jan. 17, 1880. 



Aug. 4, 1873. 



March 5, 1875. 



1871. 

Jan. 1, 1878. 



1871. 



July 12, 1884." 



.July 12, 1877. 



July 8, 1875. 



Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 



♦ Charter annulled. 

fThis charter issued to replace original, which was destroyed by fire Jan. 3, 1879, 
and which evidently was dated between Nov. 15 and 20, 1867. 



ROSTER OF POSTS, 



451 



No. 


Location. 


Chartered. 


Surrendered Charter. 


79 


N. Adams, 


March 20, 1869. 








80 


South Hadley, 


March 20, 1869, 


Aug. 


11, 


1880. 


80 


Wcstboro, 


June 


18, 1881. 








81 


Briintiokl, 


Marc^ 1 ^(^^ 






1871.* 


81 


Watertown, 


Dec. 


20, 1871. 






82 


Marl)lelK'ad, 


Marc 


1 29, 1869. 








83 


Hanover, 


April 


29, 1869. 








84 


Maiden, 


May 
April 


— , 1869, 






1871.* 


84 


South Deerfleld, 


17, 1872. 






85 


Ware, 


May 


12, 1869. 








86 


Assabet (Maynard), 


May 


26, 1869, 


July 


13, 


1882. 


86 


Northampton, 


Aug. 


4, 1882. 








87 


S. Braintree, 


June 


2, 1869. 








88 


Quincy, 


June 


10, 1869. 








89 


Beverly, 


June 


5, 1869. 








90 


Dan vers, 


June 


8, 1869. 








91 


Foxboro, 


June 


12, 1869. 








92 


Easthampton, 


June 


15, 1869, 


Oct. 


28, 


1873. 


92 


Brijrhton, 


Nov. 


12, 1873. 








93 


Shelburne Falls, 


June 


15, 1869. 








94 


Canton, 


June 


24, 1869. 








95 


Saugus, 


June 


4, 1869. 








96 


Northboro, 


June 


28, 1869. 








97 


Auburn, 


July 


— , 1869. 








97 


Belchertown, 


Nov. 


23, 1872. 








98 


Pittsfleld, 


July 


8, 1869, 


Jan. 


6, 


1877. 


98 


Princeton, 


Au"- 


3, 1877, 






1882. 


98 


Cohasset, 


Jan. 


12', I883! 






99 


Princeton, 


July 


20, 1869, 


Jan. 


31, 


1874. 


99 


West Warren, 


March 10, 1876, 


Feb. 


9, 


1880. 


99 


Andover, 


April 


18, 1881. 








100 


Ipswich, 


May 


— , 1869, 1873. 








100 


West Brookfleld, 


March 24, 1873, 


Dec. 


22, 


1876. 


100 


Methuen, 


Feb. 


1, 1877. 








101 


Groveland, 


July 


16, 1869. 








102 


Billerica, 


July 


20, 1869, 


Dec. 


31, 


1877. 


102 


Milton, 


April 


3, 1879. 








103 


Chicopee, 


July 


20, 1869, 


Jan. 


4, 


1878. 


103 


Chicopee, 


Oct. 


27, 1879. 








104 


Hiniiham, 


July 


26, 1869. 








105 


W. Medway, 


Aug. 


3, 1869, 


Jan. 


— , 


1878. 


105 


Upton, 


July 


15, 1881. 








106 


Rockport, 


Aug. 


6, 1869, 


June 


19, 


1873. 


106 


Holbrook, 


June 


20, 1873, 


July 


28, 


1875. 


106 


Rockport, 


Dec. 


30, 1881. 








107 


Hubbardston, 


Aug. 


9, 1869, 


March 1, 


1877. 


107 


Palmer, 


July 


18, 1881. 








108 


Geortretown, 


Aug. 


18, 1869. 








109 


E. Templeton, 


Oct. 


11, 1869. 








110 


Randolph, 


Oct. 


29, 1869. 








111 


Pembroke, 


Oct. 


29, 1869. 








112 


Norwell, 


Nov. 


1, 1869. 








113 


Boston, 


Dec. 


18, 1869. 








114 


Merrimac, 


Dec. 


20, 1869. 








115 


Lee, 


Dec. 


29, 1869, 


Jan. 


7, 


1874.* 


115 


Groton, 


July 


30, 1874, 









•Charter annulled. 



452 



EARLY HISTORY DEPT. OF MASS., G.A.R. 



No. 


Locatio7i. 


Chart 


ered. 


Surrende 


red C 


Charter. 


116 


Gardner, 


Dec. 


30, 1869. 








117 


Medfleld, 


Jan. 


3, 1870. 








118 


Swampscott, 


Jan. 


24, 1870. 








119 


S. Hadley Falls, 


Jan. 


— , 1870, 1873. 








119 


Lexington, 


March 24, 1873. 








120 


Greenfield, 


Feb. 


12, 1870, 


June 


1, 


1878. 


120 


Lowell, 


Oct. 


26, 1881. 








121 


Hyde Park, 


March 22, 1870. 








122 


Amesbury, 


March 23, 1870. 








123 


Athol, 


June 


1, 1870. 








124 


E. Bridgewater, 


June 


7, 1870. 








125 


S. Boston, 


June 


11, 1870, 


Feb. 


5, 


1880. 


125 


Pittsfleld, 


March 10, 1882. 








126 


Adams, 


June 


12, 1870. 








127 


Hanson, 


June 


11, 1870. 








128 


Provincetown, 


June 


16, 1870, 


Jan. 


21, 


1874.* 


128 


Ipswich, 


Jan. 


17, 1882. 








129 


Bryantville (Hanson), 


June 


1870, 




- 


1871.* 






129 


Somerset, 


Oct. 


6, 1871, 


Dec. 


30 


, 1878. 


129 


Millville (Blackstone), 


April 


25, 1883. 








130 


Williamstown, 


June 


20, 1870, 


Sept. 


10, 


1877. 


130 


Medway, 


March 18, 1882. 








131 


Leicester, 


June 


21, 1870. 








132 


Peabody, 


June 


27, 1870, 


April 


28, 


1879. 


132 


Sandwicli, 


Feb. 


24, 1882. 








133 


N. Attleboro., 


June 


28, 1870, 


June 


16, 


1877. 


133 


Plainville, 


May 


23, 1882. 








134 


Boston, 


June 


29, 1870. 








135 


West Acton, 


June 


30, 1870, 


June 


24, 


1873. 


135 


Shrewsbury, 


Dec. 


30, 1873. 








136 


Kutland, 


June 


1, 1870. 










Housatonic, 




1870, 




- 


1871.* 


137 










(Great Barrington) 












137 


E. Douglas, 


Sept. 


21, 1882. 








138 


Wareham, 




1870. 




- 


1871. 








138 


Boston, 


Nov. 


3, 1871, 


July 


— 


1874. 


138 


West Acton, 


May 


2, 1882. 








139 


Somerville, 


Aug. 


18, 1870. 








140 


Sturbridge, 


Sept. 


13, 1870, 


June 


19, 


1874. 


140 


Athol, 


Feb. 


22, 1882. 








141 


Fall River, 


Sept. 


14, 1870, 


March 18 


1874.* 


141 


Harwich, 


March 15, 1882. 








142 


S. Framingham, 


Nov. 


29, 1870.: 








143 


Brookline, 


Jan. 


24, 1871. 








144 


Dedhara, 


May 


22, 1871. 








145 


Attleboro, 


June 


6, 1871. 








146 


New Bedford, 


Dec. 


4, 1871, 


Jan. 


— 


1881. 


146 


New Bedford, 


April 


27, 1882. 








147 


Norwood, 


May 


16, 1872, 


Dec. 


31, 


1874. 


147 


Amherst, 


Oct. 


31, 1882. 








148 


Winchester, 


Mav 


22, 1872. 








149 


Charlestown, 


Dec. 


11, 1872. 








150 


Erving, 


July 


18, 1873, 


June 


11, 


1875. 


150 


Montague, 


Jan. 


12, 1883. 








151 


W. Newbury, 


Jan. 


10, 1874. 








152 


Essex, 


Jan. 


22, 1883. 








153 


Winchendou, 


March 6, 1883. 









» Charter annulled. Bryantville Tost probably never organized. 
I Removed to Saxonville. 





ROSTER OF POSTS. 


453 


No. Location. 


Chartered. 


Surrendered Charter. 


154 Kingston, 


May 


24, 1883. 




155 Monson, 


May 


26, 1883. 




156 Evei-L'tt, 


June 


14, 1883. 




157 Walpole, 


July 


21, 1883. 




15S Honsatonic, 


Aug. 


23, 1883. 




(Great Barringtou) 








159 E. Boston. 


Sept. 


7, 1883. 




160 W. Brooktiold, 


Sept. 


18, 1883. 




161 Woburn, 


Jan. 


23, 1884. 




162 Turner's Falls, 


Jan. 


25, 1884. 




163 S. Franiingliam. 


March 25, 1884. 




164 Conway, 


April 


29, 1884. 




165 Daxbury, 


May 


19, 1884. 




166 Eastlianipton, 


June 


17, 1884. 




167 Whitinsville, 


June 


18, 18H4. 




168 Soutlibrklgc, 


June 


27, 1884. 




169 Norwood, 


July 


21, 1884. 




170 Mansfield, 


July 


31, 1884. 




171 Northtield, 


Aug. 


15, 1884. 




172 Bolton, 


Aug. 


18, 1884. 




173 Sturbridge, 


Aug. 


26, 1884. 




174 Greenfield, 


Aug. 


29, 1884. 




175 Lancaster, 


Sept. 


5, 1884. 




176 Huntington, 


Oct. 


9, 1884. 




177 Lee, 


Nov. 


6, 1884. 




178 Otis, 


Nov. 


28, 1884. 




179 Barre, 


Dec. 


11, 1884. 




180 Concord, 


Dec. 


20, 1884. 




181 Needham, 


June 


5, 1885. 




182 Somerset, 


Oct. 


16, 1885. 




183 S. Hadley, 


June 


14, 1886. 




184 Ashburnham, 


April 


1, 1886. 




185 Lowell, 


April 


14, 1886. 




186 Cambridgeport, 


Jan. 


13, 1887. 




187 Dalton, 


April 


7, 1887. 




188 Beverly Farms, 


April 


28, 1887. 




189 E. Marshfield, 


Sept. 


15, 1887. 




190 New Bedford, 


May 


28, 1888. 




191 Boston, 


May 


11, 1888. 




192 N. Attleboro, 


July 


26, 1888. 




193 Avon, 


Sept. 


25, 1888. 




194 Reading, 


March 7, 1889. 




195 Pepperell, 


March 20, 1889. 




196 Great Barrington, 


March 26, 1889. 




197 Pittsfleld, 


April 


. 18, 1889. 




198 Plainfield, 


Nov. 


19, 1889. 




199 Revere, 


Jan. 


10, 1890. 




200 Boston, 


June 


5, 1800. 




201 Cottage City, 


June 


19, 1890. 




202 W. Bridgewater, 


July 


31, 1890. 




203 Bourne, 


Aug. 


1, 1890. 




204 Centreville, 


Oct. 


15, 1890. 




205 Bridgewater, 


Dec. 


10, 1890. 




206 Falmouth, 


March 19, 1891. 




207 Nantucket, 


Aug. 


28, 1891. 




208 Warebam, 


Sept 


. 25, 1891. 




209 Williamstown, 


Dec. 


10, 1891. 




210 Sheffield, 


Feb. 


3, 1893. 





NOV ^ 190S 



